Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma represents approximately 7% of all cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract. Oesophageal Carcinoma is the 6th most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Both these affect men more often than women. They usually present with symptoms of dysphagia, weight loss, haematemesis, epigastric pain and dry cough. The main type of Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma is Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) while the two main types of Oesophageal Carcinoma are Squamous Cell Carcinoma which arises in the upper half of the oesophagus and Adenocarcinoma which develops in the lower half of the distal oesophagus. In our case, we discuss about an atypical scenario of SCC of cricopharynx and upper oesophagus where a 50 year old male presented in the out patient department with an infected anterior neck abscess of 4 cm diameter along with dysphagia and restricted neck movements. The main aim of our study was to identify a relationship between the unrelated conditions. All blood parameters were assessed and found to be normal. The drained abscess did not recur after treating with proper systemic antibiotics. On Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, an ulceronodular growth was identified from cricopharynx to the level of 18 cm of the oesophagus from the central incisors. Biopsy from the lesion revealed infiltrating well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The patient was given concurrent Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy. Thus, it may be necessary that we rule out the presence of carcinoma while dealing with neck abscesses.
