Malignant melanoma of the larynx

Malignant melanoma of the larynx is a rare tumour. Only 31 cases of primary laryngeal melanoma have been reported in the literature. Cady et al., (1968) found only four cases in a group of 2,500 cases of laryngeal cancer seen over a 25-year period. A case of primary malignant melanoma of the larynx is presented along with a review of the literature. Problems associated with histological diagnosis are discussed. This patient was regarded as a poor risk for laryngectomy and appears to have control of local disease following application of Carbon dioxide laser.