Aggressiveness pattern and second primary tumor risk associated with basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx

Abstract

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a rare, aggressive and distinct variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the upper respiratory and digestive tract. We have evaluated disease specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) through Kaplan-Meier method and mortality risk through univariate statistical analysis of Cox in 42 cases of BSCC and other 42 of laryngeal SCC (LSCC) matched for both age and sex. We demonstrated that laryngeal BSCC is a more aggressive tumor than LSCC as is associated to higher nodal recurrence of pathology (5 vs 2 patients, overall risk, OR 2.7), a reduced survival (median survival 34 vs 40 months, OR 3.2 for mortality); in addition, basaloid patients have a higher risk to be affected by second primary tumors (13 vs 3 patients, OR 5.8) and a higher probability to die for this second tumor (Hazard Risk, HR 4.4). The analysis of survival shows an increased mortality risk concurrent with the parameters assessed by univariate analyses that assume a predictive and statistical significance in second tumor and grading in basaloid LSSC.

A Rare Case of Stage IV Basaloid Squamous Cell Cancer with Intrapulmonary and Brain Metastases

“…Our patient’s health progressively declined with the main complaint of shortness of breath, which was due to numerous pulmonary metastatic nodules causing hypoxia. Despite early diagnosis and intensive treatment, our patient expired after 10 months, which was much earlier compared to a median reported survival of 34 months [9], which further confirms basaloid squamous cell carcinoma lethality.…”

“…It was also noted at this time that he had bilateral cervical level II and III necrotic adenopathy that were likely due to metastasis. Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma is more aggressive and will more often have distant metastasis instead of recurring locally [9]. Our patient continued to have metastasis after treatment to the lungs and brain, which rarely has been reported with basaloid squamous cell carcinoma.…”

“…Although our patient had presented at an earlier stage, he already had pulmonary nodules resembling metastasis at time of diagnosis. A study performed in 2017 that assessed basaloid squamous cell carcinoma’s aggressive pattern revealed 50% mortality and 57% of deaths were a result of secondary tumors [9]. Our patient’s health progressively declined with the main complaint of shortness of breath, which was due to numerous pulmonary metastatic nodules causing hypoxia.…”

Vasculogenic Mimicry: A Promising Prognosticator in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Esophageal Cancer? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The incidence and mortality of HNSCC are rapidly growing in different geographic regions, including many European and Nordic countries [5]. Some variants of HNSCC, such as basaloid SCC, are characterized by a biphasic pattern of growth and have an aggressive clinical behavior [6]. Esophageal cancer ranks seventh in terms of incidence and sixth in mortality [1].…”

Long Non-coding RNAs as Important Biomarkers in Laryngeal Cancer and Other Head and Neck Tumours

“…The initiation and progression of HNC is a rather complex multistep process involving genetic and epigenetic changes. The most common histological subtype of HNC is referred to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) [3] and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) [4,5]. Tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and human papilloma virus (HPV) infections are the most common risk factors.…”