Verrucous carcinoma of the larynx (VCL) is a rare entity with reportedly favorable prognosis. Current analyses are limited primarily to case reports and case series, thus making a population-based analysis useful in characterizing frequency, incidence, and survival trends to guide clinical diagnosis and decision making.

Analysis of the National Cancer Institute's SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database.

Cases of VCL diagnosed between 1973 and 2011 were searched in the SEER database. Analysis was carried out with respect to patient demographics, tumor characteristics, incidence, treatment modality, and survival.

In sum, 516 patients with VCL were identified. Males composed 88.4% of cases. Whites accounted for 88.4% of cases, with 8.1% of cases occurring in black patients. Most cases (79.7%) arose in the glottis, a statistically significant predilection when compared with other laryngeal malignancies (P < .0001). Incidence of VCL decreased from 2000 to 2011, with an annual percent change of -5.4%. Overall 1-, 5-, and 10-year disease-specific survival for VCL was 97.5%, 88.0%, and 77.4%, while 1-, 5-, and 10-year relative survival was 98.1%, 85.5%, and 74.2%, respectively. Surgery seemed to confer better prognosis when compared with other treatment modalities.

This large population-based analysis of VCL demonstrates that this entity has a good prognosis, arises in the glottis, and is decreasing in incidence. Five-year survival seems highest when surgery is utilized. However, this finding may be subject to selection bias in high-stage lesions.