Abstract
This is the first case report of basal cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx in the world literature.
The patient was a 64-year-old male with hoarseness. A fixed left vocal cord and a smooth large mass protruding to the false vocal cord and piriform sinus were found. A CT scan demonstrated a mass occupying the left glottic region and the piriform sinus. No lesion of the mucous membrane was detected by any clinical examination. A biopsy specimen showed probable basal cell carcinoma on ordinary histological and electron microscopic studies.
A small ulcer was found in the piriform sinus, which was considered to be the original focus of the tumor. Total laryngectomy with hypopharyngectomy and left radical neck dissection were performed.
Light microscopic, electron microscopic and immunohistological studies of the extirpated specimen confirmed the diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma.
The histopathology of basal cell carcinoma is discussed in some detail.
