Abstract

Introduction: Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma is a rare clinical and pathological variant of squamous cell carcinoma. Firstly described in 1986, it is usually found in the upper aerodigestive tract in males over 60 years old.

Case report: We describe the case of a 53-year old male observed in the ENT Department with a left cervical tumefaction with normal ENT examination, despite the evidence of malignant cells in a recently performed ultrasoundguided fine-needle aspiration. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head and neck revealed a potential lesion in the left tonsillar fossa. The patient was submitted to partial pharyngectomy with bilateral neck dissection – histological examination was consistent with a pT1N2aM0 basaloid squamous cell carcinoma, leading to adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. No signs of active disease have been detected after 12 months of follow up.

Discussion: Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the palatine tonsil should be always considered in the differential diagnosis of cervical adenopathy of unknown primary carcinoma.

Keywords: Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma, Tonsil