Malignant glomus tumour of larynx: first case report and literature review

Objective: We describe the first reported case of a malignant glomus tumour of the larynx. Method: Case report and review of the world literature concerning malignant glomus tumours. Results: A 37-year-old man presented with progressive hoarseness and dyspnoea. A smooth, right-sided laryngeal mass was found on flexible nasolaryngoscopy. Initial biopsy of this lesion was reported as a true 'glomus tumour', which is a benign lesion. Wide local excision was performed. The final histology of this specimen showed it to be a 'malignant glomus tumour'. Immunohistochemistry was positive for smooth muscle actin, collagen type IV, vimentin and cluster of differentiation 34 glycoprotein. Total laryngectomy was then performed as a definitive curative procedure. Conclusion: Glomus tumour is rarely found in visceral locations. This tumour and its malignant counterpart are rare differential diagnoses of laryngeal masses.