Papillary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a clinicopathologic series

Abstract

Purpose: Papillary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare malignancy that has been associated with human papillomavirus. We present all cases of this disease at a single academic teaching hospital over the last 30 years.

Materials and methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients with a diagnosis of PSCC. Of 65 patients identified, 52 were included after meeting established diagnostic criteria. Chart reviews were performed for patient demographics, overall survival, and disease-free survival.

Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 65 years, with a male to female ratio of 2.3:1. The majority of lesions (n = 34, 65.4%) arose in areas commonly affected by benign squamous papillomas, with the laryngopharynx the most commonly affected (n = 19, 36.5%), followed by the oral cavity (n = 18, 34.6%), sinonasal tract (n = 8, 15.4%), and oropharynx (n = 7, 13.5%). Two- and 5-year disease-free survival rate was 68% and 46%, respectively. Overall survival rate was 90% and 72% at 2 and 5 years, respectively.

Conclusions: Papillary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is a distinct variant of conventional squamous cell carcinoma with a good prognosis despite high locoregional recurrence rates. Histology and subsite localization corroborate existing evidence that human papillomavirus may be involved.