Subglottic tracheal stenosis as primary manifestation of a marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of the larynx.

Background: More than 90% of laryngeal tumors are squamous cell carcinomas. Primary hematopoetic neoplasms of the larynx are rare, being mainly extramedullary plasmocytoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). These are mainly located in the supraglottic and glottic area, with only a few reported in the subglottic region.

Methods: We report on a 58-year-old man, who presented at our clinic with severe dyspnea. On microlaryngoscopy, a subglottic stenosis at the level of the cricoid cartilage was found. The biopsy revealed the diagnosis of a MALT-type lymphoma (marginal zone B-cell lymphoma). The tracheostomy was followed by locoregional radiotherapy.

Conclusions: This is the first report of a subglottic MALT-type lymphoma causing a tracheal stenosis. The preferred treatment is locoregional radiotherapy including the draining lymph nodes.