CYSTIC METASTASIS FROM TONSILLAR CANCER – A CASE REPORT

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Brachial cleft cyst is the most common cause of cystic lesion in the neck in younger population. But in patients above 40 years of age, about 80% of the cystic neck lesions were reported to be malignant. The incidence of such type of metastasis from Waldeyer's ring accounts for 33-62%. CASE REPORT A 60 year old male presented with a painless swelling in the left side of the neck for 8 months. Clinical features, imaging and FNAC favoured infected brachial cyst. Excision biopsy showed metastatic carcinomatous deposits with high mitotic index. Panendoscopy with tonsillectomy done. Biopsy of left tonsil showed moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Then adjuvant Radiotherapy was given to the patient and on 6th month follow up, patient had no features of recurrence.CONCLUSION For any cystic neck lesion in an adult, metastatic disease must be considered as a differential diagnosis. And for proven malignant cystic cervical lymph node, a primary malignancy involving Waldeyer's ring should be suspected. Initially imaging and FNAC may be taken. If FNAC is inconclusive, excision biopsy may be done. Then depending upon the biopsy finding, pan endoscopy with guided biopsies and tonsillectomy may be done.