Transglottic basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.

OBJECTIVE To report a rare case of Transglottic Basaloid Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and review the pathologic features of these lesions. CASE REPORT A 64 year old male, heavy smoker and alcohol abuser, presented with a 6 month history of hoarseness. Laryngoscopy revealed a right transglottic lesion involving the epiglottis, aryepiglottic fold, ventricle and true vocal fold. Microscopically, the tumor was characterized by infiltrating solid sheets of basaloid cells showing palisading pattern along the edges. In areas of solid growth, tumor cells displayed scant cytoplasm, and hyperchromatic nuclei. A portion of the tumor abutting the thyroid cartilage showed squamous differentiation. An island of tumor cells with comedonecrosis was also noted. Immunohistochemical staining for a number of markers was performed. CONCLUSION Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma displays a biphasic histology. The stage of the disease at presentation is invariably advanced with metastatic lymphadenopathy in two thirds of the patients.