Cystic squamous cell carcinoma of the neck: Could a second metastatic focus help?

Publication date: November–December 2014 Source:Otolaryngologia Polska, Volume 68, Issue 6 Author(s): Mainak Dutta , Sohag Kundu , Bhaskar Ghosh Squamous cell carcinoma of the neck presenting clinically as predominantly cystic lesion has often been considered as branchiogenic carcinoma in the past. However, such cystic lesions presently constitute a distinct form of head-neck metastasis, and a co-existent second metastatic focus could supposedly help distinguish them from branchiogenic carcinoma. We here present a case where, although the primary remained elusive, the associated spinal metastasis precluded us from diagnosing a cystic squamous cell carcinoma as branchiogenic carcinoma. Thus a second metastatic focus, if found, could add to the existing knowledge to distinguish between a cystic squamous cell carcinoma and the so-called branchiogenic carcinoma, especially when the primary could not be found.
Source: Otolaryngologia Polska - Category: ENT & OMF Source Type: research