A case of primary branchial carcinoma

Abstract

Branchiogenic carcinoma, which is squamous cell carcinoma arising in a branchial cyst, is extremely rare and a highly contentious clinicopathologic entity. Initially described by von Volkmann in 1882, it was better defined by Martin et al. in 1950 and the definition further refined by Khafif et al. in 1989. In spite of this, the skepticism about this entity persists. The existence of primary branchiogenic carcinoma is controversial according to some authors this malignancy is more conceptual than a real clinic pathological entity. It's very difficult to distinguish a primary branchiogenic carcinoma from a cystic nodal metastatic one. There are different diagnostic criteria for primary branchiogenic carcinoma, but its efficacy is still challenging. We present a case, wherein the patient underwent excision of a branchial cyst on the left side of the neck, which revealed squamous cell carcinoma in its lining.