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Invasive squamous cell carcinoma initially presenting as laryngeal leukoplakia

last modified on: Fri, 02/09/2024 - 10:25

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return to: Laryngeal leukoplakia white plaques on vocal cords

see also: Verrucous squamous carcinoma causing laryngeal leukoplakia 

Invasive squamous carcinoma is characterized by infiltrating tongues and nests of atypical squamous cells invading into the submucosa that are almost always accompanied by an desmoplastic stromal response. It is usually accompanied by keratinization (squamous pearl formation), increased mitotic activity, and significant cytologic atypia. Carcinoma is graded as well-differentiated, moderately differentiated, or poorly differentiated based on the degree of squamous differentiation.