Vocal Cord Melanosis: To Worry or Not to Worry?

Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2023 Sep;75(3):2251-2253. doi: 10.1007/s12070-023-03549-z. Epub 2023 Feb 13.

Abstract

Laryngeal Melanosis is a rare entity with unclear significance: whether it is a premalignant lesion for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx or a sign of mucosal melanoma. In the few reported cases in the literature, it is descried as localised/diffused brownish discoloration of the mucosal surface of the involved subsite of the larynx. We hereby report a raised localised laryngeal melanosis of the vocal cord with an initial histopathology report of dysplasia.

Keywords: Glottis; Larynx; Melanosis; Premalignant lesions; Squamous cell carcinoma; Vocal cords.