Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx: a report of four new cases

Abstract

Objectives: This study is designed to report the clinical and pathologic features and outcome of cases of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) of the larynx treated in our clinic.

Study design: A retrospective review of the medical records of these patients.

Methods: Four cases of BSCC of the larynx were treated in our department. Histopathologic slides were reevaluated to confirm the diagnosis. Immunohistochemical studies were performed, and file records were reviewed. Follow-up was available for all patients and ranged between 11 and 72 (mean 37) months.

Results: All patients were male (mean 57), with supraglottic or transglottic larynx tumors. Two patients presented with stage-II disease and the other 2 with stage-IV disease. Initial diagnosis was invasive squamous cell carcinoma in 3 patients and BSCC in one patient. Two patients who had stage-II disease underwent partial laryngectomy and bilateral neck dissections; total laryngectomy and bilateral neck dissections were performed in stage-IV patients. Three patients received adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy, and 2 of them also received additional chemotherapy. Patients with stage-IV disease were found to have 4 and 27 metastatic lymph nodes on histopathologic examination and died because of distant metastases at 11 and 14 months, respectively. Patients with stage-II disease did not have cervical metastasis on histopathologic examination and were alive and free of disease at 52 and 72 months respectively.

Conclusion: In contrast with the literature reporting the tendency of more aggressive clinical behavior of the BSCC, we can say that BSCC has a behavior similar to conventional squamous cell carcinoma based on our 4 cases.