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Carcinoma in situ in a lateral cervical cyst
Author(s) -
Zimmermann Corinna E.,
von Domarus Helmut,
Moubayed Pierre
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.10118
Subject(s) - carcinoma in situ , cyst , pathology , medicine , carcinoma , dysplasia , differential diagnosis , context (archaeology) , malignant transformation , malignancy , metastatic carcinoma , biology , paleontology
Background The development of an invasive squamous cell carcinoma within a lateral cervical cyst as a result of malignant transformation of the epithelium is considered a rare circumstance. The existence of this entity is a source of controversy in light of the differential diagnosis, which includes a cervical metastasis from an unknown primary carcinoma (CUP‐syndrome). Apart from site, histologic findings, and follow‐up, the principal diagnostic criterion for lateral cervical cyst carcinoma is the histomorphologic demonstration of transition of the benign epithelium into invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Although numerous case reports of this entity exist, carcinoma in situ in a lateral cervical cyst has been reported in only five cases thus far. Method In this context, we present the case of a 44‐year‐old patient with a 7‐month history of cervical swelling. Results After diagnostic extirpation of the tumor, histologic findings were consistent with a lateral branchial cyst with high‐grade dysplasia and carcinoma in situ of the squamous epithelial lining. Conclusion This case of a premalignant lesion within a lateral branchial cyst (ie, carcinoma in situ) supplies the “missing link” and adds credibility to the concept of primary branchiogenic carcinoma. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.