Cystic metastasis from occult tonsillar primary simulating branchiogenic carcinoma: the case for tonsillectomy as a "grand biopsy".
The occult primary is a problem well known to head and neck surgeons. Less frequently discussed, but well documented, is cystic degeneration of metastatic nodes. When these conditions combine, they can suggest tumor arising in a pre-existing cervical cyst. This is a controversial condition, rare if it occurs at all, and is not to be invoked lightly.
D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000473:pathology; D014067:Tonsillar Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014068:Tonsillectomy