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.