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.
Highlights
Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) was first described in the upper aerodigestive tract by Wain et al [1] in 1986
The lobules of malignant basaloid cells often display peripheral nuclear palisading, high mitotic activity, comedo necrosis, and small cystic spaces filled with mucinous material, making these tumors difficult to differentiate from adenoid cystic carcinoma or from small-cell undifferentiated carcinoma
BSCC is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma which occurs predominantly in men in their 60 and 70s
Summary
Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) was first described in the upper aerodigestive tract by Wain et al [1] in 1986. Islands of tumour cells showing peripheral palisading and central necrosis were noted in case 1 (Figure 1). Many thin walled blood filled channels as well as areas of hemorrhage were present in case 2 The immnoprofile of these tumours showed diffuse positive staining for squamous epithelial marker 34βE12 (Figure 4) and are negative for other markers for small cell neuroendocrine tumours and myoepithelial markers seen in adenoid cystic carcinoma. In addition these lesions were positive for EMA marker (Figure 5) and negative for BerEP4 and BCL2 which were helpful to differentiate these tumours from BCC. At last follow-up, 19 months after surgery, the patient exhibited no evidence of recurrent disease or regional lymph node metastases
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