Malignant lymphoma of the larynx

Primary localized laryngeal lymphoma is rare. The presenting symptoms are hoarseness of long duration and increasing dyspnea. Clinical and histological diagnosis is difficult and in some cases repeated biopsies are needed for conclusive diagnosis. Radiotherapy appears to be the treatment of choice for the disease. As in addition there may be head, neck or distant localizations, there should be a complete clinical evaluation before treatment, including lymphangiography, IV pyelography, liver and spleen scans, and total body CT scan. Although in a significant number of cases laryngeal lymphoma has been cured or has remained a localized disease, it is very likely that in some cases additional treatment for the tumor at other sites may be required. Lifelong follow-up and careful periodic evaluation by experts is imperative.