ORAL BASALOID SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA IN AN INDIGENOUS PATIENT

Abstract

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a variant of oral squamous cell carcinoma with aggressive clinical behavior, usually occurring in the tongue and floor of the mouth of older patients. A 70-year-old indigenous male patient presented an exuberant swelling on the anterior alveolar ridge. Medical history included habits of chewing tobacco since he was 6 years old and alcohol consumption. Intraoral examination revealed a 4-cm reddish swelling covered by irregular and vascular surface, located on the anterior alveolar ridge of the mandible. Panoramic radiograph showed extensive superficial bone resorption with irregular borders. Microscopic evaluation revealed infiltrative tumor islands composed of basaloid epithelial cells with hyperchromatic pleomorphic nuclei, comedonecrosis, and focal areas of squamous differentiation. Final diagnosis was of BSCC of the alveolar ridge. The patient denied treatment because of religious beliefs; currently he is alive with the disease 1 year after diagnosis. Oral BSCC rarely affects the alveolar ridge of indigenous patients.