[Unusual variant of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma: verrucous carcinoma]

Verrucous carcinoma is an uncommon but distinctive variety of squamous cell carcinoma, accounting for 1 to 2% of all laryngeal neoplasms. It was first described as a distinct clinicopathological entity by Ackerman in 1948. It has been described most frequently in oral cavity and larynx, but other sites are possible. The preferred location of verrucous carcinoma of the larynx is supraglottic. Its general similarity with papillomas and other papillomavirus-induced lesions has raised the question of a viral etiology (human papillomavirus); HPV-16-related DNA sequences have been found in some verrucous carcinomas using a DNA hybridization technique. We report two cases of verrucous carcinoma and discuss some interesting particularities of these tumors: origin, clinical features, pathology and prognosis.