Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: report of 18 cases

Objective:To evaluate the clinical course and pathological characteristics of basaloid head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.Method:Retrospective study of 18 cases of basaloid head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Epidemiological, clinical and histological data were analysed and the Kaplan–Meier test used to estimate survival rates.Results:The majority of lesions were at an advanced stage. These lesions were primarily localised in the larynx, hypopharynx and oropharynx. Routine pre-therapeutic assessment of squamous cell carcinoma was performed. Pathological diagnosis was difficult, although immunostaining was extremely useful. Positive staining for KL1, MNF 116 and 34βE12 and negative immunostaining for chromogranin and synaptophysin were also important factors in obtaining a definitive diagnosis. In the majority of cases, treatment involved surgery and radiotherapy. The five-year survival rate was 5 per cent.Conclusion:Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma is an uncommon head and neck lesion, with a challenging histological diagnosis. These lesions must be carefully monitored due to their aggressive course, and require multimodality treatment.