RADIOTHERAPY FOR BASALOID SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE HEAD AND NECK

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) of the head and neck is a rece ntly described high-grade variant of squamous cell carcinoma. It is a biologically virulent neoplasm with a propensity for nodal, as well as systemic, metastases. Because of the limited number of published repo rts, we reviewed data from patients of the University of Virginia Heal th Sciences Center and identified 16 cases of BSCC. The intent of this study was to determine the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of B SCC and better define the clinical features of this entity. Radiothera py alone, or in combination with surgery, resulted in excellent local control rates. Distant metastases, chiefly pulmonary, occurred in more than half of the patients.