Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the larynx: a report of three cases

Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a rare tumor of the larynx. Whereas more than 80 % of all EMP arise in the upper aerodigestive tract, only about 10 % of them are laryngeal.1 Since the first report on EMP of the larynx in 1913 by Wachter1, less than 100 additional cases have been described in the world literature, the subglottis and epiglottis area being the most commonly involved subsites within the larynx.2 It occurs approximately three times more often in men than in women, and is usually seen at the age of 50-70 years.2 In the present report, we describe three cases of EMP of the larynx, which were seen at the Institute of Oncology in Ljubljana between 1969-1999. The incidence and difficulties in diagnosing the disease, and treatment options currently available are discussed.