Larynx, hypopharynx & trachea
Squamous cell carcinoma
Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Last author update: 1 November 2013
Last staff update: 19 April 2023
Copyright: 2002-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma larynx
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Case reports | Treatment | Gross description | Microscopic (histologic) description | Positive stains | Negative stains | Electron microscopy description | Differential diagnosis | Additional referencesCite this page: Pernick N. Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/larynxbasaloidscc.html. Accessed April 19th, 2024.
Definition / general
- Highly malignant, median survival 18 months (for all sites in head and neck)
- Heavy smokers or drinkers, often with advanced disease at diagnosis and other primary tumors in the area
- Usually men, ages 50+ years
- Usually base of tongue, hypopharynx or supraglottic larynx
Case reports
- Tumor with prominent spindle component (Arch Pathol Lab Med 1995;119:181)
Treatment
- Radical surgical excision, radical neck dissection and supplemental radiochemotherapy
Gross description
- Firm to hard, tan-white masses, may have central necrosis and up to 6 cm
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Typical areas of squamous cell carcinoma (invasive and in situ) with nests or cords of small crowded cells with minimal cytoplasm, hyperchromatic nuclei, comedonecrosis, prominent hyalinization and peripheral palisading, small cystic spaces and mitotic activity
Positive stains
Negative stains
Electron microscopy description
- Rare tonofilaments, variable desmosomes
Differential diagnosis
- Adenoid cystic carcinoma: no significant pleomorphism, no mitotic activity and no squamous differentiation
- Small cell carcinoma: positive neuroendocrine markers
Additional references
