Chondrosarcoma of the thyroid cartilage

A TUMOUR which had been present for nine years in the thyroid cartilage of a 45-year-old man, was shown on microscopy to be a chondrosarcoma. This tumour probably took its origin in a pre-existing benign tumour at this site. The literature on similar previously documented tumours is reviewed, and the classification, diagnosis and management of these rare tumours is briefly discussed. Primary cartilaginous laryngeal tumours are uncommon (Hyams and Rubuzzi, 1970; Zizmor et al., 1975). A tumour of the thyroid cartilage which had been present for about nine years was shown histologically to be a low-grade chondrosarcoma probably arising from a pre-existing chondroma at this site. The clinical and pathological features of this case are presented and discussed in the light of the available literature.