Carcinoma of the neck in young children: A light and electron microscopic study

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Abstract
Two neck tumors in young children with similar clinical features were compared using light microscopy and EM. Both tumors consisted of uniform sheets of epithelial-like cells and there were scattered stromal elements in one. Tonofilaments in sheets or bundles reminiscent of squamous epithelium were striking in the epithelial cells. Intercellular junctions were frequent but true desmosomes were not seen. Most cells contained a few secretory droplets. Occasional secretory cells, foam cells and cilia were observed. Since these tumors were not sited superficially they are unlikely to have been derived from skin epithelium. An origin in branchial sinus remnants capable of differentiation towards squamous and ciliated epithelia is suggested.