Thymoma with an incidental benign laryngeal mass mimicking laryngeal carcinoma: Case report

Abstract

Thymic carcinomas are rarely seen. Because of recurrent laryngeal nerve involvement, hoarseness is a common presenting symptom. Persistent hoarseness in a male smoker past his fifth decade is also a distinctive symptom for laryngeal carcinoma. Stroboscopic laryngeal examination and biopsy are required for the diagnosis. In this article we describe a case involving a patient with thymic carcinoma who, interestingly, also presented with a benign laryngeal mass with unilateral vocal fold fixation. We emphasize the importance of keeping in mind nonlaryngeal pathologies invading the recurrent laryngeal nerve in patients with persistent hoarseness and a nonspesific laryngeal mass.