Supraglottic larynx and its pathology as studied by whole laryngeal sections

The need for additional data regarding the behavior of carcinomas of the supraglottic larynx was recognized during attempts to identify candidates for supraglottic laryngectomy. The crux of the matter was whether supraglottic carcinomas remain confined at the supraglottic larynx. If some do not, can these exceptions be detected preoperatively? Information gained from whole-organ study of 40 larynges with such tumors showed that most tumors do remain confined to the supraglottic larynx; however, there are exceptions, and these are usually high-grade tumors. Preoperative biopsy demonstrating undifferentiation in a tumor suggests a potential for atypical behavior. Patients with these high-grade lesions are not candidates for supraglottic laryngectomy. Fortunately, most supraglottic carcinomas are well-differentiated, behave in a typical manner, and fulfill the expectations gained from the preoperative mucosal appearance. Supraglottic laryngectomy is, therefore, feasible and successful in carefully selected candidates. The conclusions of this study are the following: 1. Most supraglottic cancers behave as expected, being typically well-differentiated tumors that remain confined to the supraglottic larynx. 2. Exceptions to such behavior are exemplified by tumors manifesting submucosal extension some distance away from the main tumor mass, tumors invading the thyroid cartilage, second primaries, and tumors disseminating emboli away from the main tumor. 3. Present preoperative diagnostic measures still fail to detect tumors with atypical behavior. Subsequent supraglottic laryngectomy in patients with such tumors would, therefore, leave residual tumor. 4. Carcinomas exhibiting atypical behavior are characteristically undifferentiated and aggressive. 5. The epiglottis and pre-epiglottic space are easily invaded by supraglottic cancer. The pre-epiglottic space is removed during either supraglottic or total laryngectomy. 6. The thyroid cartilage is an excellent barrier to the spread of supraglottic cancers. Tumors that invade it penetrate the anterior commissure first. 7. The pitfalls in the selection of candidates for supraglottic laryngectomy are assessment problems in which the tumor mass makes it difficult to see its full mucosal extent. Inadequate biopsy may also fail to detect a tumor. 8. In the preoperative assessment of a patient with supraglottic carcinoma, supraglottic laryngectomy is contraindicated if the biopsy does show high-grade differentiation and if the tumor is situated near the petiole. 9. Undetected extension submucosally to the level of the glottis will result in some failures with conservation surgery of the larynx.