title: The first branchial cleft carcinoma.
abstract: Primary branchiogenic carcinoma was previously a debated entity. Initially it was a popular diagnosis for many cystic carcinomas of the neck. Then, in 1950, stringent criteria were defined for establishing the diagnosis of primary branchiogenic carcinoma. Only a limited number of cases have successfully fulfilled these criteria. We describe a patient who meets the criteria and who we believe represents the first reported case of a carcinoma arising from the vestigium of the first branchial cleft. We also review the literature on branchial cleft carcinomas and discuss the diagnosis, histopathologic features, and therapeutic options.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, New England Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass. 02111.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Karmody
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001935:Branchioma / Q000473:pathology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*