Branchial Cleft Cyst Carcinoma Research Articles

Branchial cleft cyst and branchial cleft cyst carcinoma, or cystic lymph node and cystic nodal metastasis?

Lateral cervical cysts are usually considered as of branchial cleft origin, despite many studies showing that branchial cysts do not arise from the remnants of the branchial apparatus. In the same way, some authors still consider that a true clinicopathological entity such as 'branchial cleft cyst carcinoma' could exist, at least in theory. Despite insufficient evidence in support of the branchial theory, a number of publications continue to emphasise this concept. A literature review of articles in Medline and PubMed databases was carried out to retrieve papers relevant to the topic. The evidence from lateral cervical cyst studies and knowledge about cystic metastasis of Waldeyer's ring could be applicable for both diagnoses. Terms such as 'branchial cleft cyst' and 'branchial cleft cyst carcinoma' are confusing and misleading, and it is questionable as to whether their usage is still tenable.

Branchial Cleft Cyst Carcinoma: A Case Report

: Branchial cleft cyst carcinoma (BCCC) is an extremely rare malignancy originating from cells within the branchial cleft cyst wall. A 73-year-old man presented with a cystic mass with cellulitis mimicking abscess initially and recurred 3 years later as complex cystic lesion in right neck level II with multiple necrotic ipsilateral lymphadenopathy. The pathological diagnosis of cystic lesion was squamous cell carcinoma, suggesting possibility of originating from branchial cleft cyst. There was no identifiable primary cancer elsewhere by a thorough evaluation; eventually final diagnosis was branchial cleft cyst carcinoma to meet the modified criteria of Khafif et al. Up to the present time, there has been no evidence of recurrence. Although the BCCC is very rare, accurate diagnosis is important to plan proper treatment for patient. This report should help increase awareness of BCCC, which should be included in the differential diagnosis of a cystic neck mass.

Branchial cleft cyst carcinoma

With the recent changes in the cause of head and neck cancer and the association of cystic metastatic neck squamous cell carcinoma with human papilloma virus (HPV), patients who are diagnosed with a cystic lesion in their upper neck need thorough investigation before commencing any treatment. The differential diagnosis of a cystic mass in the upper neck of an adult over the age of 40 years is a branchial cleft cyst, cystic metastatic squamous cell carcinoma or a branchial cleft cyst carcinoma (BCCC). Investigation must include diagnostic imaging, biopsy or excision biopsy of likely primary sites, such as oropharyngeal sub-sites, and testing for HPV, Epstein-Barr virus immunological status. The existence of BCCC is an exceptional diagnosis, with less than 40 cases considered proven. Consensus agreement has been proposed on making such a diagnosis. The diagnosis of a BCCC should be one of exclusion rather than presumption, after all other possible diagnoses have been considered and excluded.

A Case of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising in a Second Branchial Cleft Cyst

The existence of primary brancial cleft cyst carcinoma is controversial since first described by Volkmann in 1882. Martin and Khafif proposed criteria for diagnosis of primary branchiogenic carcinoma, which are now widely accepted in the literature. The most important criterion is the presence of squamous cell carcinoma arising from the benign squamous epithelium of branchial cleft cyst. We report a case of a 69-year-old man with branchial cleft cyst carcinoma, which was suspected to be cervical lymph node metastases from an unknown primary tumor. The subject underwent a surgical operation, and postoperative pathologic findings revealed a squamous cell carcinoma developing in the stratified squamous epithelial lining of the branchial cleft cyst. This case meets the criteria established by Martin and Khafif, thus we present it with a review of lit erature.� Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2013;56:791-4 Key WordsZZBranchial cleft cyst ㆍBranchial cleft cyst carcinoma ㆍMetastasis.

Branchial Cyst Carcinoma Revisited

Branchial cleft cysts are among the most common causes for a congenital neck mass. Branchial cleft cyst carcinoma (BCCC) is a type of cancer that arises from cells within these cysts. Despite the distinct criteria that have been reported for its diagnosis, BCCC remains a controversial entity. We report a case of type I, first BCCC, on a 71-year-old white man. The diagnosis was based on the proposed criteria following lesion history and location, surgical excision, histology, and panendoscopy. We argue for the first time the hypothesis that congenital branchial cysts and BCCC tumors may result from progenitor cell rests of the embryological branchial development. After a period of dormancy, these cells could eventually awake and proliferate, thus giving rise to branchial cleft cysts. With the acquirement of mutations due to genomic instability, some clones of these cells could transform to malignant stem cells, thus clinically manifesting as BCCC. The wide recognition of stem cells and their role in carcinogenesis provides a new context for the etiopathogenesis of controversial and rare entities such as the BCCC.