Pathology of the Head and Neck

188 S. Regauer6abcdeFig. 6.7. Lymphangiomatous tonsillar polyp. a Lymphangiomatouspolyps vary in size between several millimetres to severalcentimetres. The stalk may be composed of fibro-vascular stromaor adipose tissue. b The stroma may be fibrotic and contains numerousthin-walled vascular channels filled with proteinaceousffluid and lymphocytes. c–d The surface is covered by either squamousepithelium with numerous intraepithelial lymphocytes orby respiratory epithelium with a dense lymphocytic infiltrate. e–fMarkedly dilated lymphatic vessels accompanied by lymphocyticinfiltratecarcinomas that produce cystic metastases originatefrom the excretory ductal system of the submucosalminor salivary glands within the base of the tongueand the palatine tonsil [165].A search for the primary carcinoma within thepharynx in patients with clinically occult tumoursshould include multiple blind biopsies of the base ofthe tongue and oro- and nasopharynx and/or ton-