Acantholytic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Uncommon Sites

Squamous cell cancers are the most commonly observed histopathological type of laryngeal cancer. Squamous cell cancers have verrucous, basaloid, papillary, fusiform cell, acantholytic and adenosquamous subtypes. Acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC), also known as adenoid squamous cell carcinoma, is a rarely observed histological subtype of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Acantholysis develops as a result of the loss of desmosomal adhesion proteins. The loss of the cell-to-cell adhesion leads to morphological changes that mimic other cell types. It is for this reason that acantholytic SCC is mentioned in the literature with numerous different names (adenoid SCC, pseudovascular adenoid SCC, pseudoangiosarcomatous SSC, pseudoglandular SCC) [1]. O’Shea et al. [2] have demonstrated that 89% of acantholytic SCCs are associated with the loss of at least one desmosomal cell adhesion protein, while 65% are associated with the loss of two or more desmosomal protein. Desmoglein 1/2 and desmoplakin are the proteins with the highest rate of loss. Acantholytic SSC is generally reported on the skin and lips that are exposed to the sun, although cases with acantholytic SCC identified in their gingiva, tongue, buccal mucosa, breasts, cecum, vulva and penis have also been reported. Although no clear estimation has been made about its prognosis due to the low number of patients, the ASCC subtype is known to have a more aggressive course [3-6]. The risk of distant metastasis in head and neck cancer patients varies between 4% and 25% [7]. The most common sites for haematogenous metastases to occur are the lungs (60%) and bone (20%) [8]. Lymphatic metastases, on the other hand, are observed most commonly in the mediastinal and axillary areas [9]. Metastasis from the larynx to the soft tissue and skin are seen very rarely.

Laryngeal cancers constitute 2-5% of all cancers, and 45% of all head and neck cancers. Squamous cell carcinoma originating from the epithelium is the most common type of laryngeal cancers. There are six histologically defined subtypes of squamous cell carcinoma, which are the verrucous, basaloid, papillary, fusiform cell, acantholytic and adenosquamous subtypes. Acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma was first described by Lever in 1947 [10]. Lever initially assumed that, due to its glandular structure and epithelial proliferation, this subtype originated from the sweat glands, and hence defined these tumors as adenoacanthoma that stem from the exocrine sweat glands. Later studies showed that this subtype is actually an SCC variant of non-exocrine origin [11]. Although acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma localized to the head and neck are usually observed on the skin and lips exposed to the sun, they are also observed in the oral cavity, nasopharynx, tongue and larynx in rare cases [11-17]. The best prognosis with ASCCs has been reported by Jones et al. as being the tumors localized to the lips [13]. On the other hand, early metastasis and fatal disease course have been reported in cases of ASCC involving the skin [18]. Zaatari et al. reported ASCC localized to the nasopharynx in 1986 and described that ASCC with upper respiratory/digestive tract localization have a more aggressive course, as well as a poor prognosis [15]. The prognosis of ASCC localized to the mucosa, on the other hand, is subject to debate. In an article reporting nine patients with mucosal ASCC, Gozalez-Vole et al. [19] was unable to draw conclusion regarding aggressive disease course or prognosis due to the low number of patients and the differences in the tumor localization.

Follow-up data have been reported for 8 of the 12 cases with acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma with aerodigestive localization that we were able to identify in the literature [16-19]. Among these 8 cases, progression was detected in an average of 15 months, and 6 of the cases showed no response to treatment and passed away. Detailed information was provided for only one out of three patients with laryngeal acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma that we identified in literature. This patient was reported to develop recurrent disease at two months and died at nine months [20]. Tiken et al. reported a case of laryngeal cancer in whom widespread. Soft tissue and distant metastases were identified during the early postoperative period and who died of uncontrollable metastases at seven months [21]. Laryngeal cancer can spread through direct invasion, but it can metastasize to the regional lymph nodes and distant organs through haematogenous spread. The literature reports adenocarcinomas, the clear cell subtype of renal cell carcinomas, and squamous cell carcinomas as the most common histological subtypes for soft tissue metastases [20]. In a review of 118 cases with metastasis to the soft tissues, the most common soft tissue targets for metastasis were shown to be the skin (16%), the lungs (11%) and kidneys (10%) [20]. Furthermore, it has been reported that among different types of head and neck tumors, the tumors of the tongue, pharynx, salivary glands and nasal cavity can also metastasize to the soft tissues (4%). Within one month following postoperative radio chemotherapy, our patient developed soft tissue, skin and adrenal metastases that are rarely observed in laryngeal cancer. In line with the literature, the course of the disease was very aggressive, with the patient being lost within three months before receiving the planned chemotherapy. Despite the lack of clear estimation concerning the progression of acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma due to the low number of cases, it is reported that the disease has a considerably aggressive course and poor prognosis. It must be kept in mind that metastases can be detected in early periods in such cases and that the disease can even metastasize to atypical body sites.

Acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma. It can especially occur on the skin and lips that are exposed to the sun. Acantholytic SSC localized outside the skin is observed more rarely. When evaluated together with the literature, it can be concluded that the acantholytic SCC has a more aggressive disease course. It must be kept in mind that metastases can be detected in early periods in such cases and that the disease can even metastasize to a typical body site.

None.

No Conflict of Interest.

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