CT findings of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the lung in 12 patients

Abstract

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is very rare subtype of SCC of the lung and it is important to distinguish basaloid to other subtypes of SCCs, since the prognosis of basaloid subtype is considered poorer than that of other non-basaloid subtypes of SCCs. Aim of this study was to assess computed tomography (CT) findings of basaloid SCC of the lung in 12 patients.From January 2016 to April 2021, 12 patients with surgically proven basaloid SCC of the lung were identified. CT findings were analyzed, and the imaging features were compared with histopathologic reports. Clinical and demographic features were also analyzed.Axial location of the tumor was central in 5 patients, while 7 was in peripheral. Of the 7 patients whose tumors were located in the peripheral, margin of the tumor were smooth (n = 2), lobulated (n = 2), or spiculated (n = 3). After contrast injection, net enhancement value ranged from 15.8 to 71.8 HU (median, 36.4 HU). Endobronchial growth were seen in 5 patients and these patients accompanied obstructive pneumonia or atelectasis. Internal profuse necrosis, cavitation, or calcifications were not seen.On CT, basaloid squamous cell presents as solitary nodule or mass with moderate enhancement. Tumor was located either peripheral or central compartment of the lung and cavitation was absent.

Comparison of CT findings between basaloid squamous cell carcinoma and non-basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

“…In our study, cavitation was seen in 15.5% of non-basaloid SCC, which corresponded to known prevalence of cavitation in lung cancers. However, none of the basaloid SCCs showed cavitation, in concordance with our previous study [13]. Furthermore, in our study, basaloid SCCs showed less frequent internal profuse necrosis on CT than non-basaloid SCCs.…”

“…In concordance with our study, majority of basaloid SCCs in previous literatures presented as nodules or masses without cavitation [3,13,[22][23][24]. Yet, some exceptions exist.…”

“…We searched medical records from July 2003 to April 2021 and found 1,350 patients who received lobectomy or pneumonectomy of lung for SCCs at _____, a tertiary referral hospital located in Seoul, South Korea. We used "basaloid feature" or "basaloid squamous cell carcinoma" to search for papers in all electronic medical records and found 39 (0.7%) out of 1350 patients (from July 2003 to April 2021), including 12 patients with basaloid SCC used in previous study by Kim CH et al [13]. All samples were reviewed according to the latest WHO classi cation by a pulmonary pathologist.…”

“…Thus, there was a signi cant difference in presence of cavitation between basaloid and non-basaloid SCCs regardless of the tumor size. [13]. This could be a unique radiologic feature of basaloid SCC considering that cavitation is found in approximately 10 to 20% of lung cancers and is more common in SCC [16][17][18][19].…”

“…Previously, Kim CH et al reported CT ndings of basaloid SCC in 12 patients where tumors presented as solitary nodule or mass without internal profuse necrosis or cavitation [13]. However, studies comparing CT features of basaloid and non-basaloid SCC have not been reported yet.…”