Fibrolipoma of the pyriform sinuses: thirty-seven year follow-up.

Lipomas and fibrolipomas of the larynx and hypopharynx are rare. Indeed, by 1934 Birkett was able to report only 42 extrinsic and 5 intrinsic cases. Additional occurrences have been reported since then and it has been emphasized that these tumors although histologically benign are clinically malignant. A case of recurrent fibrolipoma of the pyriform sinuses requiring right transthyroid lateral pharyngotomy in 1951 and 1966 and left transthyroid lateral pharyngotomy in 1961 is reported. The patient has been followed by one observed for the last 35 years and is at present in her 84th year. There has been neither histopathological evidence of liposarcomatous transformation nor recurrence since 1966. Previous recurrences appeared on the contralateral side from first observance after 10 years and on the same side after 15 years.