• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.51-54
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• 2006

The existence of primary branchiogenic carcinoma is controversial. In 1950, Martin et al. established four criteria for the diagnosis of primary branchiogenic carcinoma. In 1989, Khafif et al. proposed new modified criteria, which are currently most recognized in the literature. A 54-year-old woman presented the well-defined, fluctuant, painless mass on her left neck and underwent a complete excision under the clinical diagnosis of the branchial cleft cyst. The initial pathological impression was a branchiogenic squamous cell carcinoma. However, it did not coincide with a true primary branchiogenic carcinoma clinically. After the guided biopsy of suspicious areas found a squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue base, the patient was treated by combination chemotherapy with radiotherapy. Thus, we report this case with a review of the literature.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.240-242
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• 2011

Branchiogenic carcinoma is extremely rare and is defined as a malignant degeneration within the confines of epithelial remnants derived from the embryonal branchial apparatus. Two major diagnostic criteria are histologic proof of transitional area from normal cyst epithelium to invasive squamous cell carcinoma and absence of an identifiable primary carcinoma elsewhere. A 62-year old woman visited our department complaining of a non-tender, movable mass in left upper lateral neck. After a complete mass excision, histopathologic diagnosis of the surgical specimen was branchiogenic squamous cell carcinoma. I report a case of branchiogenic carcinoma with literature review.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.56-59
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• 2004

Development of an invasive squamous cell carcinoma within a branchial cleft cyst (branchiogenic carcinoma) is very rare and this case is the first description of cytologic findings in Korea. A 62-year-old man presented with a 5-month history of an enlarged right neck mass. Fine needle aspiration cytology of the mass showed low cellularity and the background containing proteinaceous debris, inflammatory cells, and histiocytes suggested a cystic nature. Abundant lymphocytes, a few anucleated squames, and rare atypical squamous cells with pyknotic nuclei and abnormal keratinization were also noted. After excision of the mass, histologic findings were consistent with a branchiogenic carcinoma. We recommend to raise the possibility of carcinoma (primary or metastatic) when we observe a few dyskeratotic cells in a cystic mass within the neck area, especially in an old male.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.40-44
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• 1991

Cystic metastasis in the neck from pharyngeal cancer has often been mistaken for either primary squamous cell carcinoma of branchiogenic origin or branchial cleft cyst. The distinctive histological and clinical features of cystic metastasis reviewed after its correct indentification can lead to the discovery of an unsuspected primary lesion and result in specific treatment options. Recendy, the authors experienced three cases of cystic metastasis in the neck from pharyngeal cancer ; one was from nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and the other two were from tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas. This report summarizes our experiences and review of the literatures.