Microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract

Microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the upper aerodigestive tract is a cancer that infiltrates into the superficial compartment of the lamina propria. As simple as this definition may appear to be, the histologic diagnosis of microinvasive SCC can be challenging. Further, the absence of a unifying histologic definition among pathologists slightly adds to the potential diagnostic complexity of microinvasive SCC. This case report will highlight the diagnostic features of microinvasive SCC of the upper aerodigestive tract and attempt to discuss its diagnostic parameters with emphasis on potential problems in rendering such a diagnosis.