ONCOCYTIC LESIONS OF LARYNX

Lesions consisting of oncocytes are rare lesions of the larynx that have previously been interpreted as oncocytomas, cystadenomas and oncocytic hyperplasias. Nineteen cases of this lesion from the files of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology were reviewed. One case was a true adenoma. The remainder were cystic lesions, frequently with papillary ingrowths, that the authors interpret to be the result of adenomatous hyperplasia and oncocytic metaplasia of the cells of pre-existing ducts and mucous glands of the larynx. The lesions occur in elderly people; the median age of the cases on file at the AFIP was 67 years, and the median age of 23 cases reported by others was 64 years. The majority of the lesions developed from the false vocal cord or the walls of the laryngeal ventricle. Three of the lesions that were present on the true vocal cord or at the anterior commissure were traced histologically to the false vocal cord or laryngeal ventricle. Most of the lesions did not recur after excision, but recurrent or similar new lesions developed in four of the AFIP cases and in three of the cases reported by others. Although surgical excision cured most of the patients, follow-up studies are warranted in order to detect recurrences. © 1969, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.