A 60-year-old smoker presents with a unilateral tonsillar mass and a level II neck node. Biopsy of the tonsil shows poorly differentiated malignancy. What is the most common histological type of tonsillar malignancy?
- A Squamous cell carcinoma ✓
- B Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
- C Adenocarcinoma
- D Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Correct answer: A. Squamous cell carcinoma
Explanation
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histological type of tonsillar malignancy, accounting for over 70% of cases. It is strongly associated with smoking and HPV infection. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the second most common tonsillar malignancy. Adenocarcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma are rare in the palatine tonsil compared to salivary glands.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.