Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Unknown Origin in Middle Mediastinum

Abstract

We report a rare case of squamous cell carcinoma located in the middle mediastinum as a solitary mass. Histologically, lymphatic tissues remained together with nests of squamous cell carcinoma which were occupying the greater part of the mass. Examinations of the whole body failed to detect a primary site of the squamous cell carcinoma. It is considered that the carcinoma cells reflect metastasis from a primary-unknown carcinoma (most likely TO lung squamous cell carcinoma) or that they originated from benign epithelial inclusions in a mediastinal lymph node.

Indolent Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Unknown Primary in the Intrathoracic Lymph Node: A Case Report and Review of the Literatures

“…Second, most patients with metastatic involvement of the intrathoracic lymph node from a CUP had heavy smoking history, a major risk factor for developing lung cancer 11 . Because of the above reasons, intrathoracic lymph node with metastasis form a CUP are diagnosed and treated as T0N1M0 or T0N2M0 lung cancer 6 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 12 .…”

“…But metastases into mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes in patients with CUP are rare and have been reported in a few literatures 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 . Since only 5% of patients with CUP are squamous cell carcinomas 13 , a metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of mediastinal or hilar lymph node from a CUP is even rarer and have been seldomly reported 6 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 , 12 . We report a quite rare case of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma from a CUP in the hilar and interlobar lymph node that had a very indolent clinical course during 3 years.…”

Deep neck abscess as the predominant initial presentation of carcinoma of unknown primary: A case report

“…Alternatively, the tumor may have been too small for accurate sampling (11). However, the possibility that the tumor cells may have originated from benign epithelial inclusions in the lymph node of the neck and were destroyed by the growth and spread of the tumor (12) could not be excluded. Moreover, the occurrence of ectopic epithelium in the lymph nodes is uncommon and embryonic admixing is the most likely explanation (12).…”

Malignant Tumor with Chest Wall Pain Mimicking Tietze’s Syndrome

“…It is important to realize that ANA is associated not only with many rheumatic and autoimmune diseases, but can also be found in malignancies and viral or bacterial infection [13]. Squamous cell carcinoma of the mediastinum of unknown primary site is extremely rare [4,5]. FNA biopsies of the mediastinum are helpful in establishing the diagnosis and provide a clue as to the primary site [14].…”

“…The diagnosis relies on this classic clinical manifestation after the exclusion of other conditions that affect costal cartilages, such as infection, malignancy, relapsing polychondritis and other inflammatory processes [3]. Mediastinal squamous cell carcinoma of unknown origin presenting with swelling of the costochondral joint is also extremely rare [4,5]. We describe a case of mediastinal squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary site with metastasis to the anterior chest wall.…”