THE OCCURRENCE OF ONCOCYTOMAS IN THE DIFFERENTIAL-DIAGNOSIS OF LARYNGEAL TUMORS

Oncocytomas of the minor salivary glands are uncommon epithelial tumor s.Their occurrence is controversial because the formation of metastase s and histological criteria of malignancy such as hypercellularity in connection with nuclear pleomorphism and local aggressive growth, have been described in only single cases.We report a case of a 66-year-old woman who was found to have an oncocytic adenoma localized in her lef t laryngeal vestibular ligament. Because no signs of malignancy could be found in our case the tumor was classified histologically as primar y benign.We emphasize that thorough histological examination of oncocy tic tumors and close clinical supervision are necessary. A general ove rview of the available literature and the histological classification of oncocytomas is given.