Is Biopsy Needed in a Patient with Multiple PET Positive Cavitating Nodules Following Laryngeal Carcinoma

Jahn K*, Tamm M, Savic Prince S, Lardinois D and Storck C

Department of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Department for Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Department for Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland

^*Correspondance to: Kathleen Jahn 

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Abstract:

Laryngeal cancers have a significantly high morbidity and mortality (one-third of all head and neck cancers) with the incidence mostly related to exogenous substances such as tobacco and alcohol overconsumption. In addition to chest CT, PET-CT plays an important role in the treatment of laryngeal carcinomas as the detection of increased FDG metabolic activity in the tumor cells allows for a better assessment of tumor size, location, spread and response to therapy. Early stages can often be resected minimally invasively. Close follow-up examinations are mandatory to detect possible recurrences early. The nodular lesions in Langerhans Cell histiocytosis (PLCH) can resemble lung metastases and exhibit FDG avidity and sometimes necrotizing melting. As with laryngeal carcinoma, LHCH is associated with an increased risk of recurrence due to chronic nicotine use as an aggravating factor. The primary treatment of LHCH is consistent nicotine withdrawal, which in most cases leads to restitution of the lesions. Additional administration of glucocorticosteroids or chemotherapy is rarely necessary.

Keywords:

Pulmonary nodules; Metastatic cancer; Cryobiopsy; VATS; Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Cite the Article:

Jahn K, Tamm M, Savic Prince S, Lardinois D, Storck C. Is Biopsy Needed in a Patient with Multiple PET Positive Cavitating Nodules Following Laryngeal Carcinoma. Clin Case Rep Int. 2025; 9: 1734..