Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSC) is regarded as a variant of squamous cell carcinoma, but displays distinct morphological and biological feature s as well as a different clinical course. The tumor is frequently seen in t he head and neck and is preferentially located in the larynx, especially in supraglottic sites. Ten patients with BSC of the supraglottic larynx were treated from 1991 to 1995 at the Medical Faculty of the University of Istan bul. Results of treatment were compared retrospectively with a control grou p consisting of 44 patients with well-differentiated squamous cell carcinom as. Ages, localizations, stages and treatment procedures were similar. In b oth groups mean survival, nodal involvement and distant metastases were com parable although the local (laryngeal) recurrence rate in patients with ear ly supraglottic (T2) disease in the BSC group after conservative partial su rgery was distinct compared to the control group (P < 0.05). These results indicate that conservative surgery should be assessed with caution in patie nts with BSC. and postoperative irradiation be taken into consideration.