Branchiogenic carcinoma.

The validity of the diagnosis 'branchiogenic carcinoma' has been debated for many years. Recently, Micheau, et al recorded 21 cases of metastatic squamous carcinoma that presented with cystic masses in the neck and concluded that most, if not all of the reported cases of branchiogenic carcinoma, were in fact of similar origin. This report contains histological evidence of the origin of squamous cell carcinoma from a branchiogenic cyst in an otherwise healthy young man. Five similarly convincing reports from the literature are also reviewed.