[Cancers in medial neck cysts--3 case reports].

1% of thyroglossal duct cysts are supposed to develop carcinoma. In most cases papillary carcinoma is found deriving from ectopic thyroid tissue. As far as squamous cell carcinomas are concerned, worldwide only eleven cases have been reported so far. In this article, three cases of carcinoma in a thyroglossal duct cyst are presented (1 case of squamous cell carcinoma, 2 cases of papillary carcinoma). The diagnostic procedures as well as the therapeutic strategies are discussed. The diagnosis of a thyroglossal duct cyst should be confirmed by ultrasonography. This can provide information about the presence or absence of a normal thyroid gland and makes radioisotope scanning unnecessary.