OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinic manifestation, therapy and prognosis of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the larynx.

METHODSNine cases with neuroendocrine carcinoma of the larynx treated between May 2005 and June 2011 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThere were six males and three females, with a median age of 58 years (ranging from 35 to 65 years). Five cases were treated by only operation, and four cases by combined treatment (surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy). Two patients with typical carcinoid tumor had not any recurrence with following up of 28 and 30 months, respectively. Of three patients with atypical carcinoid tumor, one patient recurred in 36 months after the first operation and followed by re-operation, with no recurrence by further 30 month follow-up, and the other two patients did not recur 15 and 20 month follow-up, respectively. Of three patients with small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, two died after 11 and 14 months, respectively, and another patient was followed up for 18 months, with no recurrence. One patient with paraganglioma showed no recurrence with a follow up of 32 months.

CONCLUSIONSNeuroendocrine carcinoma in larynx included typical carcinoid tumor, atypical carcinoid tumor, small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and paraganglioma. Accurate diagnosis relies on histopathologic and immunohistochemical examination. There is no standard treatment plan and based-surgery combined treatment should be adopted to laryngeal neuroendocrine carcinoma. The prognosis is dependent on tumor types.