Basaloid squamous carcinoma of the hypopharynx with an extensive spindle cell component exhibiting a pedunculated polypoid mass

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2005 Apr;129(4):e94-6. doi: 10.5858/2005-129-e94-BSCOTH.

Abstract

We report a case of basaloid squamous carcinoma of the hypopharynx with an extensive spindle cell component in an 82-year-old man. The tumor (4.0 x 2.5 x 2.2 cm) was a pedunculated polypoid mass that was attached to the left pyriform sinus. Histologically, most (70%) of the tumor was composed of malignant spindle cell proliferation, and the rest (30%) was basaloid squamous carcinoma. Some of the spindle cells were positive for cytokeratins. The preoperative histologic diagnosis was difficult because the endoscopic biopsy specimens showed only spindle cell proliferation. This is an unusual presentation of basaloid squamous carcinoma of the head and neck.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Basosquamous / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Basosquamous / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / ultrastructure
  • Male