Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Immunohistochemical and fine structural characterization of primary carcinoid tumors of the larynx

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Carcinoid tumors belong to the group of neuroendocrine tumors of epithelial origin, i.e., neuroendocrine carcinomas. These neoplasms usually occur in the gastrointestinal tract or bronchial system but are very rare neoplasms in the larynx. Since carcinoid tumors in this latter site may appear to be undifferentiated by light microscopy, they may possibly be misinterpreted and their neuroendocrine characteristics may remain unrecognized. Using immunohistochemical methods, three carcinoid tumors were studied and showed positive immunostaining for markers of epithelial origin (cytokeratins, epithelial membrane antigen, carcino-embryonic antigen) and, in particular, for markers of neuroendocrine differentiation (chromogranin, synaptophysin, neuron-specific enolase). All tumors expressed calcitonin-, serotonin- and adrenocorticotropic-hormone-like immunoreactivity. In contrast, three poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas showed positive immunostaining for epithelial markers but did not show any immunoreactivity with markers of endocrine characteristics. Fine structurally, carcinoid tumor cells contained neurosecretory-type granules scattered throughout the cytoplasm. The present study demonstrated that (1) carcinoid tumors of the larynx possess distinct immunohistochemical characteristics that allow a clear classification, (2) it is advisable to use a battery of primary antibodies rather than rely on specificity and sensitivity of a single marker to establish diagnosis and (3) the fine structural demonstration of neurosecretory-type granules serves as a reliable adjunct to diagnosis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Batsakis JG, El-Naggar AK, Luna MA (1992) Neuroendocrine tumors of the larynx. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 101:710–714

    Google Scholar 

  2. Baugh RF, Wolf GT, Lloyd RV, McClatchey KD, Evans DA (1987) Carcinoid (neuroendocrine carcinoma) of the larynx. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 96:315–321

    Google Scholar 

  3. Cefis F, Cattaneo M, Ricci PMC, Frigerio B, Usellini L, Capella C (1983) Primary polypeptide hormones and mucinproducing malignant carcinoid of the larynx. Ultrastruct Pathol 5:45–53

    Google Scholar 

  4. DeLellis RA, Tischler AS, Wolfe HJ (1984) Multidirectional differentiation in neuroendocrine neoplasms. J Histochem Cytochem 32:899–904

    Google Scholar 

  5. Doglioni C, Ferlito A, Chiamenti C, Viale G, Rosai J (1990) Laryngeal carcinoma showing multidirectional epithelial, neuroendocrine and sarcomatous differentiation. ORL 52:316–326

    Google Scholar 

  6. Ferlito A (1976) Histological classification of larynx and hypopharynx cancers and their clinical implications: pathologic aspects of 2052 malignant neoplasms diagnosed at the ORL department at Padua University from 1966 to 1976. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) [Suppl] 342:9–46

    Google Scholar 

  7. Ferlito A, Friedmann I (1989) Review of neuroendocrine carcinomas of the larynx. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 98:780–790

    Google Scholar 

  8. Ferlito A, Friedmann I (1991) Contribution of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of neuroendocrine neoplasms of the larynx. ORL 53:235–244

    Google Scholar 

  9. Ferlito A, Rosai J (1991) Terminology and classification of neuroendocrine neoplasm of the larynx. ORL 53:185–187

    Google Scholar 

  10. Ferlito A, Friedmann I, Goldman NC (1988) Primary carcinoid tumour of the larynx. ORL 50:129–149

    Google Scholar 

  11. Gnepp DR (1991) Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the larynx. ORL 53:210–219

    Google Scholar 

  12. Goldman NC, Hood CI, Singleton GT (1969) Carcinoid of the larynx. Arch Otolaryngol 90:64–67

    Google Scholar 

  13. Googe PB, Ferry JA, Bhan AK, Dickersin GR, Pilch BZ, Goodman M (1988) A comparison of paraganglioma, carcinoid tumor, and small-cell carcinoma of the larynx. Arch Pathol Lab Med 112:809–815

    Google Scholar 

  14. Govaerts PJ, Broek P van den, Corstens FHM, Peters HM (1992) Clinical oncology: case presentations from oncology centres. 2. Carcinoid of the larynx. Eur J Cancer 28A: 1755–1758

    Google Scholar 

  15. Kleinsasser O (1988) Tumors of the larynx and hypopharynx. Thieme, New York

    Google Scholar 

  16. Medina JE, Moran M, Goepfert H (1984) Oat cell carcinoma of the larynx and Eaton-Lambert syndrome. Arch Otolaryngol 110:123–126

    Google Scholar 

  17. Meyer-Breiting E, Burkhardt A (1988) Tumours of the larynx Springer New York Berlin Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  18. Mills SE, Johns ME (1984) Atypical carcinoid tumor of the larynx. Arch Otolaryngol 110:58–62

    Google Scholar 

  19. Milroy CM, Rode J, Moss E (1991) Laryngeal paragangliomas and neuroendocrine carcinomas. Histopathology 18:201–209

    Google Scholar 

  20. Moisa II, Silver CE (1991) Treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms of the larynx. ORL 53:259–264

    Google Scholar 

  21. Olofsson J, Nostrand AWP van (1972) Anaplastic small cell carcinoma of larynx. Case report. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 81:284–287

    Google Scholar 

  22. Paladugu RR, Nathwani BN, Goodstein J, Dardi LE, Memoli VE, Gould VE (1982) Carcinoma of the larynx with mucosubstance production and neuroendocrine differentiation: an ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study. Cancer 49:343–349

    Google Scholar 

  23. Pearse AGE (1974) The APUD cell concept and its implications in pathology. Pathol Annu 9:27–42

    Google Scholar 

  24. Pesce C, Tobia-Galleli F, Toncini C (1984) APUD cells of the larynx. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 98:158–162

    Google Scholar 

  25. Shanmugaratnam K (1991) Histological typing of tumours of the upper respiratory tract and ear, 2nd edn. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  26. Sidhu GS (1979) The endodermal origin of digestive and respiratory tract APUD cells. Am J Pathol 96:5–20

    Google Scholar 

  27. Smets G, Warson F, Dehou MF, Storme G, Sacré R, Belle S van, Somers G, Gepts W, Klöppel G (1990) Metastasizing neuroendocrine carcinoma of the larynx with calcitonin and somatostatin secretion and CEA production, resembling medullary thyroid carcinoma. Virchows Arch [A] 416:539–543

    Google Scholar 

  28. Wenig BM (1993) Atlas of head and neck pathology. Saunders, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  29. Wenig BM, Gnepp DR (1989) The spectrum of neuroendocrine carcinomas of the larynx. Semin Diagn Pathol 6:329–350

    Google Scholar 

  30. Wenig BM, Hyams VJ, Heffner DK (1988) Moderately differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma of the larynx. Cancer 62:2658–2676

    Google Scholar 

  31. Woodruff JM, Senie RT (1991) Atypical carcinoid tumor of the larynx. ORL 53:194–209

    Google Scholar 

  32. Woodruff JM, Shah JP, Huvos AG, Gerold FP, Erlandson RA (1985) Neuroendocrine carcinomas of the larynx. Am J Surg Pathol 9:771–790

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wurzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11, D-97080, Wurzburg, Germany

    R. Dieler

  2. Department of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11, D-97080, Würzburg, Germany

    J. Dämmrich

Authors
  1. R. Dieler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Dämmrich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dieler, R., Dämmrich, J. Immunohistochemical and fine structural characterization of primary carcinoid tumors of the larynx. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 252, 229–235 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00179916

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00179916

Key words

Search

Navigation