Primary branchiogenic carcinoma

Abstract

An extensive historical review of branchial cleft cyst carcinoma is undertaken and a critical analysis of all 67 cases reported in the English literature since Martin's landmark report is carried out and tabulated. Forty-one of the 67 cases were definitely ruled out as carcinomas of branchial cysts. Though only eight of the remaining 26 cases satisfied Martin's criterion of 5-year follow-up without evidence of primary carcinoma elsewhere, 14 patients had incontrovertible evidence of branchiogenic carcinoma, evidenced by a branchial cyst with histologic evidence of epithelial dysplasia progressing to squamous cell carcinoma within the cyst wall. Two previously unreported cases are presented. A therapeutic approach including wide local excision, radical neck dissection, and radiotherapy is recommended. A more thorough search for an occult head and neck primary, and a clearer understanding of the histopathology of branchiogenic carcinoma, are suggested as alternate requirements for this diagnosis.

Branchiogenic carcinoma with high-risk-type human papillomavirus infection: A case report

“…The present case matched the criteria proposed by Khafif et al (2), but did not match those proposed by Martin et al (1), as the patient succumbed to distant metastasis within a 5-year period. Since normal squamous epithelium at the cyst wall and transition from dysplasia to carcinoma were observed, the case was judged to be a typical BC.…”

“…4A and C). Koilocytosis was Considering the clinical history, and the imaging and histological findings, the tumor was diagnosed as BC, fulfilling the diagnostic criteria proposed by Khafif et al (2). Since lymph node metastases were noted, concurrent chemoradiotherapy was administered with 50.4 Gy irradiation to the entire neck, including the oropharynx, and two cycles of nedaplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (3).…”

“…Fourth, histology should demonstrate the presence of cancer in the wall of an epithelial cyst situated in the lateral aspect of the neck. Khafif et al disagreed with the third criterion, as patients may succumb to unrelated causes prior to the 5-year milestone (2). In addition, a number of patients receive post-operative irradiation, which may result in control of an occult primary tumor.…”

“…In addition, a number of patients receive post-operative irradiation, which may result in control of an occult primary tumor. Therefore, Khafif et al (2) proposed replacement of this criterion with two additional criteria: i) The absence of an identifiable primary cancer in another location, as determined by a thorough evaluation, including appropriate biopsies; and ii) the clear histological (2) and was possibly caused by high-risk-type human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images.…”

Ciliated Adenosquamous Carcinoma: Expanding the Phenotypic Diversity of Human Papillomavirus-Associated Tumors

“…Current consensus is that essentially all such lesions are cystic metastases rather than true malignancies arising from branchial cleft cysts. However, authors such as Khafif et al [22] allow for the possibility of the existence of branchial cleft cyst carcinoma assuming that strict criteria were employed:…”