Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma: two case reports

Abstract

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a rare and aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that occurs preferentially in the upper aerodigestive tract. We present two cases of BSCC, one arising in the conjunctiva and the other arising in a paranasal sinus. Clinical and pathological findings in these two cases, including immunohistochemistry is presented along with brief discussion of literature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of BSCC of the conjunctiva. BSCC of the head and neck should be distinguished from adenoid cystic carcinoma, small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, basal cell adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, spindle cell squamous carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…They are frequently seen in the aerodigestive tract with most of the cases to be found in the tongue, floor of the mouth, the pyriform sinus, tonsil, and larynx [12]. These tumors have also been described in a variety of sites including nasopharynx, trachea, skin, cervix, bladder, thymus, anus, conjunctiva, and lung [13,14,15,16]. Clinically, patients have similar presentation to conventional squamous cell carcinoma depending on the site of the lesion.…”

An Insight into the Histopathology of Oral Neoplasms with Basaloid Morphology and a Working Classification

“…24 Adenosquamous carcinoma shows true ductal acinar differentiation and mucicarmine positivity. 23,[25][26][27] BSCC does not show these features and can thus be differentiated from adenosquamous carcinoma. 24,[26][27] On the other hand, SCNC shows nuclear molding, hyalinization and crushing artifacts on H&E, and immunohistochemically, shows positive expressions for chromogranin and synaptophysin.…”

“…BSCC is devoid of all of these features. [23][24]26 Wain's criteria 27 is an essential parameter to diagnose BSCC. This criteria include both histologic (peripheral palisading associated with SCC, high nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, high mitotic index, solid growth pattern) and immunohistochemical features (positive expression for anti-34BE1 and cytokeratin 5/6; negative expression for synaptophysin and chromogranin, and Ber-EP4).…”

“…Occurrence of BSCC in the oral cavity is infrequent and very few case reports were found in the literature. [22][23]26 A proper diagnosis of Oral BSCC is important in order to plan an appropriate treatment modality, considering its association with poor prognosis.…”

Anal Canal Basaloid Carcinoma Treated with Local Resection and Radiation: A Case Report

“…The most common subtype is squamous cell carcinoma [1,2] , and basaloid carcinoma is considered to be an aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma [3] .…”