| Description |
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The diagnosis of a squamous cell carcinoma is made upon evidence of invasion of the underlying tissues and the presence of undifferentiated (anaplastic or atypical) squamous cells.
There is an anaplastic proliferation of the prickle cells and loss of normal cell layer architecture, with invasion of strands of these atypical cells into the dermis. These cells are irregular both in shape and size, and have enlarged nuclei which may show abnormal mitoses.
Various degrees of keratinization may be present and in the more well-differentiated tumors there may be individual cell keratinization and the formation of keratin pearls or horn cysts.
In this patient there is a more extensive squamous cell carcinoma arising on the posterior surface of the pinna. Some secondary infection has occurred and exposed auricular cartilage can be seen in the. center of the ulcer. |
