Metastatic cancer to the larynx. Diagnosis and management.

A case of metastatic tumor in the larynx following successful treatment of a breast carcinoma and a colon carcinoma is presented. The lesion was visible by indirect laryngoscopy, and computed tomography of the larynx assisted in delineating the extent of the disease. The separation of primary adenocarcinoma of the larynx from metastases is discussed, as is the identification of the origin of a metastasis where two separate primaries have existed. Other reports of cancer metastatsizing to the larynx are reviewed. Tumor spread to the larynx may be asymptomatic or may result in hoarseness, stridor and/or airway obstruction.