[Cancer in a hypopharynx diverticulum]

The development of a carcinoma in a hypopharyngeal diverticulum is reported as a rare complication in a 74-year-old female. The carcinoma was neither radiologically nor endoscopically detected. The left part of the diverticulum was resected. Histology showed a moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in the wall of the diverticulum. The patient died postoperatively from thrombo-embolism of the lung. At autopsy the right part of the diverticulum showed a carcinoma which had originated from the bottom of the diverticulum, had spread polypously into the lumen and had infiltrated all layers of the wall of the diverticulum (pT1N0M0). Diagnostic problems are discussed which are posed by a carcinoma in a hypopharyngeal diverticulum.