Cystic change in lymph nodes with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma

A retrospective analysis was performed of the gross characteristics of aspirated material in 335 consecutive cases of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in cervical/supraclavicular lymph nodes seen during a three-year period. In 57 cases (17.01%), 1-2 mL of fluid was obtained. Microscopic examination of cytocentrifuge smears in all cases showed malignant squamous cells. Cystic change in lymph nodes harboring metastatic squamous cell carcinoma was frequently associated with a tongue primary (21/58 cases, 36.2%) followed by an esophageal primary (4/16 cases, 25%). The frequency of cystic change varied from 9.1% to 21.5% with primaries in the oral cavity, nasopharynx, lung, uterine cervix and unknown sites.