Laryngeal chondrosarcoma, a 30-year series

Laryngeal chondrosarcoma is a rare laryngeal pathology arising from cartilaginous structures and is predominantly found in the cricoid cartilage. This study investigates its presentation, treatment modalities and patient outcomes. Retrospective study of laryngeal chondrosarcoma cases followed from 1992 to 2022 in the Otorhinolaryngology department of a cancer center - Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa. Statistical analysis was made with Microsoft Excel® and SPSS®. We identified 16 cases, of which two-thirds were male, with an average age of 59.6 years, and only 24% of them had a history of smoking. The commonest presentation was indolent dysphonia and/or dyspnea, and the posterior arch of the cricoid cartilage was the most affected place. Although histopathological studies after biopsy were often inconclusive, surgery emerged as the first-line of treatment for all patients. Larynx microsurgery with lesion debulking was the most frequent surgical approach (47%) followed by partial laryngectomy (24%). Neither adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) nor chemotherapy was administered in any of the cases. There was residual tumor in 23% of the cases so half of these patients were in watchful waiting while the other part underwent further microsurgery or total laryngectomy. Only one patient with recurrence received RT. Disease-specific survival rate at 1 and 5 years was 97% and 91%, respectively. Laryngeal chondrosarcoma etiology is still unknown and is effectively treated with surgery, with a generally favorable prognosis. The main concern lies in its propensity to relapse, highlighting the importance of watchful follow-up. El condrosarcoma, una patología laríngea rara que surge de estructuras cartilaginosas, se encuentra predominantemente en el cartílago cricoides. Este estudio investiga la presentación, modalidades de tratamiento y resultados de pacientes con condrosarcoma laríngeo en un centro de cáncer en Lisboa, Portugal. Estudio retrospectivo de casos de condrosarcoma laríngeo seguidos desde 1992 hasta 2022 en el departamento de Otorrinolaringología de un centro de cáncer - el Instituto Portugués de Oncología de Lisboa. El análisis estadístico se realizó con Microssoft Excel® y SPSS®. Entre los casos identificados, dos tercios eran hombres, con una edad promedio de 59.6 años y solo el 24% tenía antecedentes de tabaquismo. Los pacientes comúnmente presentaban disfonía indolente y/o disnea, y el sitio de origen primario era el arco posterior del cartílago crico