Horizontal partial laryngectomy for laryngeal neuroendocrine tumor: A case report

Introduction: Moderately differentiated neuroendocrine tumors of the larynx are rare malignant tumors that arise from the submucosa of the larynx, for which surgery is the first-line treatment.

Presentation of case: We report a case of moderately differentiated neuroendocrine tumor of the larynx, in which the patient, a 74-year-old man, experienced long-term palliation but an unfortunate outcome of death owing to metastasis. Laryngeal endoscopic examination revealed an elevated submucosal lesion on the laryngeal surface of the epiglottis. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a tumor-like lesion demonstrating a contrasting effect in the submucosa of the epiglottis. A biopsy revealed a moderately differentiated neuroendocrine tumor (formerly called an atypical carcinoid), and a horizontal partial laryngectomy was performed. The patient had a good postoperative course; however, three years and ten months after surgery, he experienced recurrence in the upper gastrointestinal tract and carcinoid syndrome and died four years and three months after the surgery.

Discussion: The prognosis of laryngeal neuroendocrine tumors remains poor. In this case, local control was possible without irradiation because the resection margins were negative on pathological examination. This case report has been reported in line with the SCARE Criteria.

Conclusion: Long-term follow-up of this type of tumor is necessary, as distant metastasis is likely to affect prognosis. In addition to surgery, effective adjuvant therapies, including molecular targeted therapies, should be established.