Basaloid-squamous carcinoma of the hypopharynx

Basaloid-squamous carcinoma, a variant of squamous cell carcinoma, has only recently been described as arising in the pharynx. The cardinal histopathologic feature, as its name suggests, is a biphasic cellular pattern of basaloid and squamous components in an intimate relationship. Major differential diagnoses include adenoid cystic, squamous, adenosquamous, and sarcomatoid carcinomas. Although the number of reported cases is small, basaloid-squamous carcinoma appears biologically virulent, with a propensity to aggressive local behavior and early regional and distant metastasis, and subsequent poor survival. The authors add a further case of basaloid-squamous carcinoma to the world literature.