A pathologic and clinical study of adenosquamous carcinoma of the larynx. Report of four cases and review of the literature.

Four cases of adenosquamous carcinoma are described. Emphasis is put on the rarity of this histological type of tumour which was first described in the larynx by Gerughty et al. (1968) who reported three cases. An exhaustive histological documentation of the neoplasm accompanies the discussion of its pathomorphological characteristics, histogenesis, differential diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Stress is laid on the extreme aggressiveness of the neoplasm and on its high biologic malignancy. Elective treatment is radical surgery. The tumour in question is a distinct anatomo-clinical entity with its own connotations and therefore must be distinguished from the most common squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.