Metastatic adenocarcinoma to the cervical lymph node: a significant proportion of cholangiocarcinoma in Thai patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine distribution of the primary site of metastatic adenocarcinoma to the cervical lymph node in Thai population with histological correlation.


METHODS
72 Thai patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma to the cervical lymph node were retrospectively analyzed.


RESULTS
Thyroid gland (papillary carcinoma) was the commonest source of tumor (41%), followed by lung (25%), bile duct (17%) and breast (7%). Metastatic cholangiocarcinoma typically produced distinct glandular pattern, and frequently involved the right supraclavicular lymph node. Brush border of the gland-forming tumor cells was a consistent finding in metastatic cholangiocarcinoma, with 100% sensitivity and 97% specificity.


CONCLUSIONS
Cholangiocarcinoma represents a significant portion of primary tumor in Thai patients with cervical nodal metastasis. This figure may hold true for countries where bile duct malignancy is endemic, and may be of clinical usefulness in identification of primary cancer.
Taweevisit
Mana
M
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Rama IV Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Chirakalwasan
Narida
N
Pumsuk
Ubon
U
Keelawat
Somboon
S
Shuangshoti
Shanop
S
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000556:secondary*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000473:pathology*; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000556:secondary*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013785:Thailand; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult