Carcinoid tumor of the larynx. A critical review of the literature.

Typical carcinoid neoplasms of the larynx are extremely rare tumors. The total number of known and documented cases is likely no more than 13. The neoplasm mainly affects males at an average age of 58 years and appears grossly as a polypoid or sessile submucosal nodule with an average 1.8 cm in size. Their predominant location is the supraglottis with the arytenoid and the aryepiglottic fold being the most frequent sites. Histologically, they are characterized by organoid architecture, uniform cellular features and lack of pleomorphism, necrosis and mitosis. Typical laryngeal carcinoids are less aggressive than their atypical counterparts but late distant metastasis and death may occur. The management of these neoplasms is conservative surgery.