Laryngeal solitary fibrous tumour: diagnostic challenge in a rare presentation

Abstract

Solitary fibrous tumours (SFT) are rare spindle cell mesenchymal neoplasms, most commonly appearing as well-circumscribed localised lesions arising from the abdominal or pelvic peritoneum. Their presence in the head and neck region is very rare; even more so in the post-cricoid region, with only one case described in the literature to date. The clinical behaviour of SFT may vary from benign to malignant, but only 10–15% of SFT demonstrate local recurrence or distant metastasis. The usual presenting symptoms of dysphagia and weight loss are very vague to give a definite diagnosis, and examination, even under general anaesthesia, combined with biopsies can sometimes be misleading, as in our case. Here, we describe a very challenging case of supraglottic SFT originating from the post-cricoid area. Our 73-year-old patient presented with dysphagia and upon examination a large supraglottic mass was revealed. Biopsies from the mass pointed to malignancy and the patient underwent total laryngectomy. The laryngeal specimen contradicted the biopsy and revealed a rare solitary fibrous tumour with benign features and thus adjuvant treatment was not necessary. Ever since the patient has been attending regular follow-up sessions and remains disease-free 18 months after surgery.