Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: A Case-Control Study with Conventional Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Prognostic implications across histological subtypes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: An update

BACKGROUND

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, arising from the mucosal epithelium of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, nasopharynx, larynx, and sinuses. In addition to the conventional morphologic pattern characterized by the degree of cellular atypia and squamous differentiation, HNSCC is classified into eight histopathologic subtypes: basaloid, spindle cell, adenosquamous, cuniculatum, verrucous, lymphoepithelial, papillary, and acantholytic.

METHODS

This review provides a comprehensive review of the literature on the prognostic implications of the histological subtypes of HNSCC.

RESULTS

Although there is extensive literature on HNSCC, few studies specifically focus on the treatment and prognosis of its histopathologic subtypes. Among these subtypes, verrucous squamous cell carcinoma and carcinoma cuniculatum generally have a favorable prognosis, while others, such as basaloid and spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma, tend to follow a more aggressive clinical course.

CONCLUSION

In this review, we delve into the histopathological subtypes of HNSCC and explore their clinicopathological, molecular, and prognostic findings. Further molecular investigations aimed at identifying targeted therapies for these subtypes are necessary. Moreover, it is crucial to recognize the emerging histopathological variants documented in the literature, considering the ongoing limitations in prognostic assessment.

Adenosquamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a retrospective single institution series

Objectives

Head and neck adenosquamous cell carcinoma (HN-ASCC) is a rare, aggressive neoplasm, with limited data reported in the literature. The aim of this study was to assess tumour behaviour and prognostic factors impacting overall survival (OS) in a retrospective, single institution series.

Methods

A retrospective study on patients affected by HN-ASCC who were treated surgically between 2002 and 2019 at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery of the University of Brescia was conducted. Demographics, clinical data, OS, and relative prognostic factors were analysed.

Results

The study included 32 patients, with a median age of 66 years, mostly males (84.4%) and untreated (68.8%). Adjuvant treatments followed surgery in 28.1% of patients. Compared to conventional SCC, ASCC showed a higher proportion of cases arising in the larynx (40.6%); no difference was found in other features. Advanced (pT3-4) local stage at presentation (p = 0.023), perineural invasion (PNI, p = 0.01), and positive margins (p = 0.007) were independent negative prognostic factors for OS.

Conclusions

HN-ASCC is a rare, aggressive cancer, most frequently arising in the larynx of elderly males, usually diagnosed in an advanced local stage. OS is generally poor, affected by local advanced stage, PNI, and positive resection margins.

Sinonasal Adenosquamous Carcinoma - Morphology and Genetic Drivers Including Low- and High-Risk Human Papillomavirus mRNA, DEK::AFF2 Fusion, and MAML2 Rearrangement

BACKGROUND

Sinonasal adenosquamous carcinoma is rare, and there are almost no studies detailing morphology or characterizing their genetic driver events. Further, many authors have termed sinonasal tumors with combined squamous carcinoma and glands as mucoepidermoid carcinoma but none have analyzed for the presence of MAML2 rearrangement.

METHODS

Cases from 2014 to 2020 were collected and diagnosed using World Health Organization criteria. They were tested for p16 expression by immunohistochemistry (70% cut-off), DEK::AFF2 fusion by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and AFF2 immunohistochemistry, MAML2 rearrangement by FISH, and low- and high-risk HPV by RNA ISH and reverse transcription PCR, respectively. Detailed morphology and clinical features were reviewed.

RESULTS

There were 7 male (64%) and 4 female (36%) patients with a median age of 69 years, most Caucasian (10 of 11 or 91%). Most had tobacco exposure (8/11, 73%) and most presented with epistaxis, a visible nasal mass, and/or facial pain. Several had a precursor papillomas (3 of 11, 27%). The squamous component had variable keratinization, 5 of 11 (46%) of which would be described as keratinizing, 3 non-keratinizing, and 2 with mixed features. All had gland formation, by definition, and 2 of 11 (18%) had ciliated tumor cells. None of the 11 cases had MAML2 rearrangement and one had DEK::AFF2 fusion with associated positive nuclear AFF2 protein immunostaining. Most were p16 positive (7 of 11, 64%) and all 7 of these were hrHPV positive either by RNA ISH or RT-PCR. Two of the p16-negative tumors were positive for lrHPV by RNA ISH. Treatment included surgery alone (4 of 11, 36%), surgery with adjuvant radiation (5 of 11, 45%), and surgery with radiation and chemotherapy (2 of 11, 18%). Four of 11 patients (36%) suffered disease recurrence, two requiring re-operation and who were disease free at last follow-up, one receiving additional chemotherapy and who was alive with disease. The other elected to undergo palliative therapy and died of disease.

CONCLUSION

Sinonasal adenosquamous carcinoma is a somewhat heterogeneous tumor not infrequently arising ex papilloma and having various drivers including high- and low-risk HPV and rarely DEK::AFF2 fusion. The prognosis appears favorable when proper treatment is possible.

Survival and risk factors of adenosquamous carcinoma in the oral and maxillofacial region: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

The features and prognosis of adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) in oral and maxillofacial region have not thoroughly investigated, the purpose of this study is to describe clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment, and prognostic factors of this disease.

METHODS

The data of 276 patients diagnosed with ASC in oral and maxillofacial region between 1975 and 2016 were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The prognostic factors influencing overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were identified by the Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis. The nomograms for OS and DSS were constructed to predict the prognosis of these patients.

RESULTS

Of 276 included patients, 62.7% were male and 37.3% were female, with an average age at diagnosis of 63.5 years. The most common primary site is oral cavity (170/276), followed by salivary gland (106/276). The 3-, and 5-year OS of patients with ASC in oral and maxillofacial region were 49.0% and 38.9%, while the 3-, and 5-year DSS were 67.7%, and 60.4%, respectively. Patients who underwent surgery had longer OS (mOS: 58 m vs. 8 m) and DSS (mDSS: 193 m vs. 18 m) than those who did not. Age, AJCC-T/N/M category as well as surgery were independently associated with OS. Advanced T stage, distant metastases, and surgery were independent factors for DSS. The prognostic nomograms for OS and DSS were constructed, and the C-indexes were 0.71 (95% CI 0.66-0.76) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.67-0.85), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Surgery was the favorable prognostic factor for both OS and DSS among patients with ASC in oral and maxillofacial region.