OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical feature and prognosis of primary branchial carcinoma.

METHODSThe main method of this study was reviewing the clinical feature, diagnosis, treatment methods and prognosis of 5 patients suffered from primary branchial carcinoma.

RESULTSAll of the tumors were excised extensively. All of the patients received radical neck dissection and post-operative radiotherapy. 3 patients had pathologic evident of metastasis in lymph nodes of cervical region. 2 patients died of local recurrence of tumor and metastasis to lung. 1 patient died after post-operative 2 years. 2 patients were still alive after 5 years' follow-up.

CONCLUSIONPrimary branchial carcinoma has the very similar clinical feature with branchial cyst. The diagnosis should be considered if painless mass and swollen lymph nodes were found in upper neck region of patients. Rapid frozen pathologic section should be made regularly to make the diagnosis clear. The treatment should include extensive excision of tumor and radical neck dissection to improve the cure rate and survival rate.