Some remarks on the genesis of the so-called branchiogenous carcinoma

Nine patients suffering from supposed branchiogenous carcinomas were observed within 8 years. In six of them later on a further tumour developed: four times in the tonsils and twice in the glossopharyngeal region and three of these patients additionally in the contralateral side-region of the neck. Histopathology revealed squamous carcinoma of a pseudocystic type; no pre-existing epithelium of a cyst or fistula within these tumours was to be seen. In the remaining three patients--even for several years--a primary tumour was not discovered. These tumours may have developed dysontogenetic rests of the "branchiale Anlage"--especially from incomplete inner fistulas. Moreover, this assumption is also supported by those cases which later on displayed squamous carcinoma at the lower pole of the tonsils, but actually were relapses of the primary tumour by continuous growth.