Case reportLaryngeal alveolar soft part sarcoma: A case report of a rare malignancy in an atypical location☆
Introduction
Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare malignancy accounting for 0.2% to 0.9% of soft tissue sarcomas [1]. This entity was first described in the literature by Christopherson et al. in 1952 after encountering several unique histologic entities during a 17 year period [2]. ASPS often occur in children and adolescents in the age range of 15 to 35 years [3], [4]. Frequent locations for presentation include the extremities, trunk, and head and neck region. 25% of reported ASPS cases occur in the head and neck region with the most common locations being the tongue and orbit [5], [6], [7]. Our literature review only identified 5 cases of ASPS originating in the larynx [6], [8], [9], [10], [11]. This case report provides a description, our treatment approach, and review of this rare malignancy in this atypical location.
Section snippets
Case report
The patient is a 23 year-old-male who presented with a 4-year history of progressive hoarseness. He denied any other associated symptoms including dysphagia or pain. Flexible nasolaryngoscopy revealed a large left sided submucosal mass occupying the entire left hemilarynx with bowing of the ipsilateral vocal cord (Fig. 1). Computer tomography (CT) showed a well-circumscribed non-cystic mass filling the left transglottic space with extension into the infraglottis. The mass abutted the arytenoid
Discussion
ASPS is overwhelmingly seen in adolescents and young adults [3], [4]. It is rarely seen in individuals younger than 5 years or older than 50 years [12]. The female to male ratio is approximately 2:1 [3], [4], [13], [14]. Female predominance is most noticeable in the first 3 decades of life and has slightly higher incidence in males in the later decades [4]. In adults, these tumors frequently present in the soft tissue of the thigh and buttock. In infants and children, ASPS often present in the
Conclusion
ASPS is an uncommon malignancy and even more rarely seen in the larynx. Research has been limited, especially specific to laryngeal ASPS, due to the exceedingly rare nature of this disease. Further examination of laryngeal ASPS cases is necessary to provide more details on the clinical, radiographic, histologic and molecular presentation of this disease as well as providing guidelines for best treatment.
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There are no conflicts of interest or financial disclosures to report.