Laryngeal tuberculosis following laryngeal carcinoma.

ABSTRACT

Laryngeal tuberculosis is a rare entity and the disease related to laryngeal cancer is extremely rare. We describe a case of laryngeal tuberculosis in a 74-year-old man with a history of radiotherapy for laryngeal carcinoma four months earlier. Laryngoscopy demonstrated a white mass on the right vocal fold at the site carcinoma had previously occupied. Recurrence of the cancer was suspected, but the biopsy result showed histological features of tuberculosis. We discuss the derangement of the host's mucosal barrier by the malignancy as a contributing factor in secondary tuberculous infection. Tubercular bacilli may be reactivated due to the immunosuppression associated with the therapy.