Laryngeal chondroradionecrosis is an unusual condition which may present many years after the initial radiotherapy. We present a case of late onset chondroradionecrosis which was complicated by invasive candidiasis of the arytenoid cartilages which had themselves been extruded through the laryngeal mucosa.

Following radiation treatment for carcinoma of the larynx it may be very difficult to differentiate between persistent or recurrent tumour and severe radiation effects particularly chondroradionecrosis. Despite repeated negative biopsy it may be necessary to perform total laryngectomy where the concern about persistent cancer remains and the larynx is non-functioning. We report nine cases presenting as chondroradionecrosis over a five-year period. Two patients settled on medical treatment. Of seven patients treated with laryngectomy the histology on two revealed residual or recurrent carcinoma.

We outline the dilemmas in diagnosis and propose management strategies to deal with this condition including recommendations for prevention and treatment.

An unusual case of post-radiation primary intranodal leiomyosarcoma of the cervical lymph node is presented. The patient was a 32-year-old white man who was treated in 1986 with hemiglossectomy and right neck dissection, followed by radiation therapy, for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. Six years later, he presented with an enlarged left cervical lymph node which on biopsy showed a high grade spindle cell malignant neoplasm. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopic study verified the smooth muscle origin of the tumour.

Extensive work-up for a second primary lesion was negative. Primary intranodal leiomyosarcoma is extremely rare. We briefly discuss the histological differential diagnosis of spindle cell lesions of lymph nodes, leiomyosarcoma of the vessel wall and radiation-associated sarcoma.