title: Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a clinicopathological and follow-up study of 40 cases and review of the literature.
abstract: Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a rare and aggressive variant of cancer that mainly arises in the upper aerodigestive tract. This study reviews the clinico-pathological features and follow-up of a series of cases occurring in the head and neck. During a 32-year period (1974-2005), a total of 40 BSCCs have been diagnosed in the head and neck in our Institution. Males predominated in the series (35M/5F). The average age was 60.2 years (range, 40-85). Tobacco and alcohol consumption was found in more than 80% of the cases. Topographic distribution was as follows: larynx and hypopharynx, 22 cases (55%); oropharynx, 12 cases (30%); and oral cavity 6 cases (15%). The basaloid component predominated in 29 cases (72.5%). Vasculo-lymphatic invasion was detected in 5 cases (12.5%). Lymph node metastases were seen in 25 cases (62.5%, levels II and III in the neck dissection). Local recurrences appeared in 11 cases (27.5%) and distant metastases in 6 (15%). In 7 cases (17.5%) a second primary tumour was detected. The 2002 TNM staging was as follows: Stage I, 5 cases (12.5%); Stage II, 7 cases (17.5%); Stage III, 8 cases (20%), and Stage IV, 20 cases (50%). On follow-up, 21 cases (52.5%) are alive and 19 (47.5%) died of disease. Three- and 5-year overall survival was 50% and 38.5%, respectively. A significant shorter survival was detected in node positive patients (P<0.05).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Hospital de Basurto, Basque Country University, Avda. De Montevideo 18, Bilbao, 48013, Spain. cosme.erenozarate@osakidetza.net
authors.forename: Cosme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ereño
authors.forename: Ayman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gaafar
authors.forename: Maddi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garmendia
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Etxezarraga
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Bilbao
authors.forename: José I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: López
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002281:Carcinoma, Basosquamous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D015996:Survival Rate