A. Ferlito et al., MALIGNANT LARYNGEAL TUMORS - PHENOTYPIC EVALUATION AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS, The Annals of otology, rhinology & laryngology, 104(7), 1995, pp. 587-589
Malignant laryngeal tumors include a variety of oncotypes with differi
ng biologic connotations, each calling for a different therapeutic app
roach and giving rise to a different prognosis. But the oncotype can o
nly be accurately identified histologically by means of a technically
adequate, representative biopsy specimen. Intrinsic malignancy varies
with the structure of the neoplasm, so the choice of surgery, radiothe
rapy, chemotherapy, or laser therapy depends largely on tumor type. Mo
st malignant laryngeal neoplasms are squamous cell carcinomas, but the
rare cases of nonsquamous tumor include a wide array of oncotypes of
which the true incidence is difficult to assess. Diagnosis is based on
light microscopy, but may be supported by histochemical, immunocytoch
emical, and ultrastructural investigations that improve the accuracy o
f categorization of the specific tumor type. A precise histologic diag
nosis, based on representative biopsy material, will lead to a better
understanding of the tumor's likely behavior, and consequently to more
effective treatment.