ALESSANDRA RINALDO, MD; ALFIO FERLITO, MD
UDINE, ITALY

DAVID J. HOWARD, MD
LONDON, ENGLAND

The paper presents a review of the experience of 12 patients with chondrosarcoma of the larynx treated at our institution over the last 24 years. This represents the largest European series and the third in the world. Chondrosarcoma is the most frequent nonepithelial malignant tumor of the larynx, with 83.3% arising from the cricoid in our series. We have shown that deep wedge biopsy with a C02 laser gives the most reliable diagnosis, aided by computed tomographic scanning. Laryngeal chondrosarcoma is characterized by indolent growth and a potential for local recurrence, and rarely metastasizes. The treatment details of these patients are discussed. Adequate partial resection is often successful. The C02 laser experience as the initial treatment in 5 of these cases is presented.