Primary neuroendocrine neoplasms of the larynx. A series of 4 cases reported and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND Neuroendocrine tumors are rare neoplasms arising from neural and epithelial origin. METHODS AND RESULTS The case records of 4 patients with the diagnosis of neuroendocrine laryngeal tumor were retrospectively reviewed. In this analysis of our medical records, we describe a series of 4 men with neuroendocrine laryngeal tumors treated in our department since 1994, including the first extremely aggressive and lethal laryngeal paraganglioma reported in the English-language literature. We also discuss the classification, the macro and microscopical characteristics, clinical and pathologic findings, and treatment of these neoplasms. CONCLUSION Although neuroendocrine laryngeal tumors account for approximately 1% of all neoplasms in the larynx, its majority represents very aggressive tumors showing a capacity for metastasis and portending poor outcome.