55. Supraglottic carcinoma of the larynx

Organ: Larynx

Description:

We can see a large mass on the epiglottis. On the bottom of the back of the slide can we see a large lymph node that’s been cut in two.

Diagnosis: Supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma

Causes:

Smoking
HPV infection

Theory:

When talking about the larynx we divide it into three regions, the supraglottic, glottic and subglottic regions. This tumor lies above the level of the glottis, so it’s supraglottic.

It’s hard to say just from the macroscopical view, but the most common cancer type of the larynx is squamous cell carcinoma, so this is most likely a squamous cell carcinoma.

This cancer has metastasized into a lymph node on the back of the preparation. This lymph node is most likely a cervical lymph node. The lymph node is so large because of the cancer infiltration.

See the theoretical topic for more details and symptoms.