An interesting entity mimicking malignancy: Laryngeal candidiasis

Abstract

Primary candidiasis in the laryngeal mucosa is rare but has many predisposing factors, in particular immune insufficiency and long-term antibiotic use. This study involved a reassessment of 530 laryngeal biopsy specimens originally examined between 2004 and 2009, from which 11 cases of hyperplastic laryngeal candidiasis were identified according to their clinical and histopathological features. Among possible predisposing factors, immune insufficiency was identified in three patients, there was long-term antibiotic use in two cases, use of inhaled corticosteroids in four cases, smoking in eight cases and reflux symptoms in four cases. Dysplasia as well as hyperplasia was seen in two cases. Endolaryngeal lesion excision was performed in eight cases and biopsy leading to radical surgery was done in three. In clinical follow-up no lesions were observed in nine cases while two had new leukoplakic lesions.