Basaloid neoplasm

by Jason Wasserman MD PhD FRCPC
July 18, 2022

What is a basaloid neoplasm?

Basaloid neoplasm is a term used to describe an abnormal growth made up of cells that look dark blue when examined under the microscope. The cells in the growth, or neoplasm, are called basaloid because they look similar to the basal cells normally found at the bottom of a thin layer of tissue called the epithelium. Basaloid neoplasm is not a specific diagnosis. It is a category that includes many different types of non-cancerous and cancerous growths.

Where are basaloid neoplasms found?

Basaloid neoplasms can be found anywhere in the body although they are more common in the skin, salivary glands, breasts, lungs, and cervix.

Are all basaloid neoplasms cancerous?

No. There are many types of basaloid neoplasms that are non-cancerous. By examining the tissue under the microscope and performing additional tests such as immunohistochemistry, your pathologist will decide if the basaloid neoplasm is non-cancerous or cancerous.

What is a malignant basaloid neoplasm?

A malignant basaloid neoplasm is a cancerous tumour made up of basaloid cells. There are many different types of malignant basaloid neoplasms.

When do pathologists use the term basaloid neoplasm?

Pathologists often use the term basaloid neoplasm when describing a small tissue sample removed in a procedure called a biopsy. In this instance, there may not be enough tissue available for the pathologist to make a final diagnosis and the term basaloid neoplasm is used to provide a preliminary diagnosis that your doctors may use to start planning your care. The term basaloid neoplasm may also be used after an entire tumour is removed and the tumour shows features that may be seen in more than one kind of tumour. Additional tests such as immunohistochemistry or next-generation sequencing (NSG) may be performed to help determine the specific tumour type.