Laryngeal carcinoma in a boy of twelve years

A case of laryngeal carcinoma in a boy of twelve who had history of excessive tobacco-smoking since early childhood is reported. Initially he received full irradiation but his symptoms recurred and a total laryngectomy was done, on clinical grounds, 10 months after completion of radiotherapy. The surgically removed specimen was subjected to serial sectioning and was studied in detail. Viable tumour foci were observed histologically at the primary site. Patient was doing well for 4 years after surgery without any recurrence.