title: Spindle cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract: an analysis of 341 cases with comparison to conventional squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to better characterize spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC) of the upper aerodigestive tract, a rare and aggressive variant, through comparison of a large cohort of head and neck SpCCs against a cohort of conventional head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared epidemiologic and clinicopathologic characteristics of 341 SpCCs with 67 882 SCCs of the head and neck, drawing data from the SEER national database. We also compared disease-specific survivals (DSS) for SpCC and SCC based on tumor site and mode of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SpCCs were predominantly laryngeal (46.4%, P < .001) and were more likely to be high grade (P > .001). SpCCs were also more likely than SCCs to present at an early stage (P < .001 to P < .05). Rates of distant metastasis were similar between the tumor types. DSS was similar between SpCCs and SCCs, although site-specific survival rates were higher for SpCCs of the larynx (P = .017) and lower for those of the oral cavity (P = .008).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SpCC of the head and neck is more likely than SCC to present at an early stage, with fewer nodal metastases. Survival rates appear to depend on anatomic site as well.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gerry
authors.forename: Valerie A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Fritsch
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Lentsch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D018426:SEER Program; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult