[Bleeding as an initial symptom of tonsillar carcinoma]

The authors present the case of the patient suffering from recurrent bleeding from the palatine tonsil. A visual and tactile examination did not reveal any alteration to the tonsil. Following three recurrent bleeding episodes, we conducted an examination of the vessels (through MRI including vessel option) and consequently ruled out any possible presence of vessel alterations in the tonsil and in the adjacent tissues. Subsequently tonsillectomy was carried out. The histopathological examination revealed the presence of carcinoma in the tonsil's flesh, whereas the mucosa of the tonsil remained unaltered. Over the period of six months the patient had repeatedly been examined by experienced head and neck surgeons, none of whom found any abnormalities in the tonsil. No other symptoms of the tonsil carcinoma were detected in the patient. The authors underscore the rare occurence of the abovementioned symptoms in carcinoma of the tonsil. They note, however, that certain number of patients with the branchiogenic cyst exhibit the abovementioned symptoms of the tonsil carcinoma.