Oncologic rationale for bilateral tonsillectomy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary source

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate an oncologic basis for the recommendation to perf orm bilateral tonsillectomy as a routine measure in the search for a primar y mucosal lesion in patients presenting with cervical nodal metastasis of s quamous cell carcinoma (SCC). STUDY DESIGN: A case series of individuals selected from a 3-year period is reported. SETTING: Academic medical center. RESULTS: Each individual presented with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in a cervical lymph node from an unknown primary source. In each case, the primary source was identified in a tonsillectomy specimen, either located c ontralateral to the node, or in both tonsils. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of contralateral spread of metastatic cancer from occ ult tonsil lesions appears to approach 10%. For this reason, bilateral tons illectomy is recommended as a routine step in the search for the occult pri mary in patients presenting with cervical metastasis of SCC and palatine to nsils intact.