Adenosquamous carcinoma

Adenosquamous carcinoma is a type of cancer that contains two types of cells: squamous cells (thin, flat cells that line certain organs) and gland-like cells. It has been associated with more aggressive characteristics when compared to adenocarcinoma in certain cancers.^[1][2] It is responsible for 1% to 4% of exocrine forms of pancreas cancer.^[3]

Adenosquamous carcinoma
Micrograph of an adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung. The adeno- or glandular component is on the left of the image and the squamous component on the right of the image. H&E stain.
Specialty	Oncology

Diagnosis

Micrograph of adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas.

Light microscopy shows a combination of gland-like cells and squamous epithelial cells.^[4] On immunohistochemistry, it is typically positive for CK5/6, CK7 and p63, and negative for CK20, p16 and p53. On genetic testing, KRAS and p53 are typically altered.^[4]