Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oropharynx

Abstract

Objective

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is considered an aggressive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) variant. However, we hypothesized that BSCC of the oropharynx may carry a similar prognosis to SCC. A series of exclusively oropharyngeal BSCC patients has not been previously reported. Our objective was to describe the clinical presentation and prognosis of BSCC in a large series of patients with BSCC of the oropharynx and to compare these with a series of patients with conventional-type oropharyngeal SCC.

Study Design

Retrospective analysis of population-based data.

Setting

Data reported by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program are based on medical records of patients who are treated at academic medical centers, community and county hospitals, and health maintenance organizations.

Subjects and Methods

Clinicopathologic data and disease-specific survival (DSS) were compared between 650 patients with oropharyngeal BSCC and 19,484 with SCC.

Results

High-grade tumors and nodal metastasis were more common in the BSCC group (P < .02). On multivariable analysis controlling for disease stage, BSCC patients had improved DSS (P < .001). More BSCC patients received multimodality treatment (P < .001). Disease-specific survival was similar in BSCC and SCC patients who were treated with primary surgery; however, among patients who received radiotherapy, DSS was better for those with BSCC (P < .04).

Conclusion

Analysis of the largest oropharyngeal BSCC series to date demonstrates that BSCC of the oropharynx carries a more favorable prognosis than conventional-type oropharyngeal SCC.