Lipomas of the larynx and hypopharynx: a review of the literature with the addition of three new cases.

Lipomas of the larynx and hypopharynx are uncommon mesenchymal neoplasms. This report discusses the clinical and pathological features of three cases of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal lipomas. Two of the cases occurred in females and one in a male. The ages of the patients were 28, 51 and 51 years respectively. Two of the cases involved the supraglottic larynx (left arytenoid and left vestibular fold); the third involved the pyriform sinus. Symptoms included airway obstruction, dysphagia, throat discomfort, a sensation of excessive secretions in the throat and an increase in snoring. The complaints occurred over periods ranging from several months to one year in duration. Clinically, a polypoid lesion described as yellow in appearance was seen. Histologically, the tumours were composed of mature adipocytes without evidence of pleomorphism, lipoblasts or infiltrative growth. Surgery was the treatment of choice and included simple but complete excision in two of the cases. In these two cases, surgery proved curative with follow-up periods of 11 and seven years, respectively. In one case, the initial tumour was removed in pieces. This lesion recurred 15 years after the initial resection and was totally excised at that time. This patient has been free of tumour for more than five years.