[Metastatic cystic squamous cell carcinoma in the neck mistaken as primary branchial cleft carcinoma: a report of 4 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To raise the vigilance not to believe easily the diagnosis of a primary branchial cleft carcinoma.


METHODS
Four cases of cystic metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in the neck misdiagnosed as branchiogenic carcinoma from 1993 to 2002 in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively.


RESULTS
The primary sites of these 4 cases were later discovered, 2 in the aryepiglottic fold, 1 in faucial tonsil and 1 in the skin of the head, respectively. The discovery of the primary sites ranged from the day of initial surgery to 41 months.


CONCLUSIONS
None of the cases reviewed in this study was a branchiogenic carcinoma. Therefore, the diagnosis of a primary branchial cleft carcinoma requires the fulfillment of strict criteria both clinically and pathologically.
Huang
Cai-ping
CP
Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. yyww20042003@yahoo.com.cn
Wang
Hong-shi
HS
Kong
Yun-yi
YY
Wang
Jian
J
D000328:Adult; D001935:Branchioma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004825:Epiglottis; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014067:Tonsillar Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology