[Transglottic carcinoma and transglottic invasion of laryngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the definition of transglottic carcinoma and its pathological characteristics of local invasion, and to determine the distinction between transglottic carcinoma and transglottic invasion of laryngeal carcinoma.

METHODS

Fifty total laryngectomy specimens of transglottic carcinoma were subject to whole-organ serial section, HE staining and microscopic observation.

RESULTS

The ventricles of 50 cases were all invaded, the main lesion of carcinoma was in the ventricle, or the ventricle was the center of the lesion. The rate of invasion to paraglottic space(PGS) was 82%(41/50). Submucosal invasion was seen in 52%(26/50) and that with superficial mucosal invasion was seen in 38%(19/50). Superficial mucosal invasion rate was 10%(5/50). Deep submucosal invasion was the major way of tumor spread in transglottic carcinoma which equally involved the supraglottic and glottic regions.

CONCLUSION

Transglottic carcinoma originates from the center of ventricle where it spreads to transglottic region. Submucosal extension is characteristic of local invasion. There are fundamental differences between transglottic carcinoma and transglottic invasion of laryngeal carcinoma in the late stage of the lesion.