BACKGROUND: Basaloid squamous carcinoma is more frequently found in the upper aerodigestive tract, being rarely found in the esophagus. AIM: To present the pathological and clinical aspects, as well as immunhistochemical attributes of a basaloid squamous carcinoma of the esophagus patient. CASE REPORT: Of a total of 134 esophagus cancer patients in the Hospital Universitário de Botucatu-Unesp, in São Paulo, from 1990 through 1999, only one patient (0,74%), presented the basaloid squamous carcinoma of the esophagus. This patient, a 41 year-old Caucasian male farmer, presented dysfagia, regurgitation and weight loss for the last three months, being a smoker and alcoholic for many years. Endoscopy and esophagram revealed a vegetative lesion in the distal region of the esophagus. Biopsy showed a high-grade intra-epithelial neoplasm associated with basaloid cells infiltrating the corian mucosa, characteristic of the squamous basaloid carcinoma. Immunohistochemical markers were positive for carcinoembrionary antigen and high molecular weight citokeratins. Computerized tomography revealed multiple metastasis in the lungs, liver and regional lymphatic nodules, all evidence of an advanced evolution of the disease. Treatment consisted of gastrostomy. The patient presented an accentuated fall pertaining it's general state and died with a state of melena four months after diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The basaloid squamous carcinoma is a rare and aggressive form of esophagus cancer and the prognosis depends in the state at which the lesion is and in the clinical conditions of the patient at the time of diagnosis.
Esophageal neoplasms; Carcinoma
