The basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx

The basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a very rare and widely unknown malignant tumour of the upper aerodigestive tract. It is considered a particular variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), but much more aggressive. A relatively little number of cases and clinical reports has been published since its first description in 1986 by Wain et al. Only five basaloid squamous cell carcinomas with location in the nasopharynx, where it seems to have a different biological behaviour, are mentioned in the international literature. We present a new case of BSCC with this location, referring to the pathologic and clinical aspects and to the respective literature.