Carcinoma of the larynx in childhood

Abstract

The unusual case of a 12-year-old boy with well differentiated in situ, and focally invasive squamous carcinoma of the larynx is reported, together with a review of the medical literature. In addition to this one, 54 cases of laryngeal carcinoma in children 15 years of age or younger have been reported since 1868. All were squamous except for one adenocarcinoma of a laryngeal minor salivary gland. Carcinoma of the larynx in children parallels that of adults in terms of squamous histology, predominantly vocal cord involvement, pattern of local spread, and response to treatment. However, the incidence of female patients is higher in childhood (40% of childhood cases vs. less than 10% of adult cases), and risk factors, except previous irradiation of papillomas, are rare. Although unusual, carcinoma of the larynx in children is probably more common than thought and the diagnosis should be considered in any case of a child with persistent hoarseness or cough.

Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in a child

“…In head and neck cancers, larynx and hypopharynx cancers have a stronger relationship with smoking and alcohol use than cancers of other primary sites [7]. In particular, the use of smokeless tobacco products or alcohol abuse has not been reported in childhood [6,8]. In our case, there was no history of smoking or alcohol consumption.…”

“…For squamous cell carcinoma in children voice-sparing surgeries are preferable. If voice-preserving surgery is not feasible, conventionally fractionated radiotherapy to a total dose as in adult disease of 60-66 Gy should be used [8]. For hypopharynx and supraglottic carcinomas, considering their rapidly fatal course, Siddiqui et al [6] have cautioned against neoadjuvant chemotherapy and favored radical surgery followed by radio-chemotherapy.…”

Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a 13 Year-Old Child Associated with Human Papillomaviruses 16 and 18: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…Vocal folds are the most common site of involvement by SCC in adolescents, followed by supraglottic and then subglottic locations [9, 10]. In adolescents, 60% of cases affect boys, compared to adults, in whom 80% of patients are men [10, 11].…”

“…In adolescents, 60% of cases affect boys, compared to adults, in whom 80% of patients are men [10, 11]. Additionally, cases increase in frequency as patients increase in age [10, 11]. The major risk factor for SCC in adolescents is prior radiation for juvenile papillomatosis, in contrast to adults, in whom smoking is the predominant etiological factor [9].…”

“…Laryngeal carcinoma in adolescents has been reported to mirror that of adults in regard to pattern of local spread [10]. …”