Introduction Laryngeal tumors are usually cancers of epithelial origin, about 90% of laryngeal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. The larynx having a low lymphoid tissue content is a rare site for proliferation of primary Lymphomas. We present the rare case of a primary diffuse B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the larynx with a destructive growth pattern, which in turn constitutes an atypical behaviour for this entity.

Materials and Methods Case report of a 76-year-old male patient who presented in our otorhinolaryngology department with a six-week history of hoarseness without any other relevant symptoms.

Results The physical examination revealed right arytenoid edema and right vocal fold paresis. A CT scan of the neck identified a local tissue proliferation ventral to the right thyroid cartilage, eroding the latter and extending to the endolaryngeal region. No pathological lymph nodes were detected.

A laryngoscopy and an open cervical biopsy were performed. Subglottic diffuse mucosal swelling was seen in the absence of changes in the mucosal surface. Surgical exploration showed erosion of the cricoid cartilage as well as partial destruction of the right thyroid cartilage by the tumor.

The histological examination of the larynx tissue revealed a DBCL, a therapy with R-CHOP was initiated. Despite chemotherapy, the tumor continued to show an aggressive behaviour with rapid local progress and compromise of the airway causing the patient´s death.

Discussion Although localized laryngeal lymphomas are rare and represent less than 1% of all laryngeal neoplasms, they should be considered as a differential diagnosis in their various clinical presentations.

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