Barani KARİKALAN, Thanikachalam PASUPATİ, Sophia Merilyn GEORGE

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil: A rare case report

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is an unusual aggressive type of squamous cell carcinoma with a preference toward the head and neck area with the upper aerodigestive tract being more frequent than other sites. It contains both squamous and basaloid elements intricately woven to each other. Its origin is believed to be from multipotent cells located at the base of the squamous epithelium or salivary ductal lining. Distant spread to cervical lymph nodes and lungs is frequent and is one of the determinants of survival. Adenoid cystic carcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma are among the differentials and can be differentiated from BSCC by histological features and immunohistochemical features, respectively. Herein, we present an unusual case of BSCC in a 38-year-old man and discuss its differentials to emphasis on the importance of early diagnosis due to its aggressive nature.

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