Outcome of curative management of malignant tumours of the parotid gland.

PURPOSE: The optimal management of malignant parotid gland tumours remains to be defined precisely. Specifically, a further understanding of the tumour features that influence treatment outcome is needed.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted on 184 patients who were registered at the Princess Margaret Hospital with a diagnosis of a primary malignant parotid gland tumour.

RESULTS

All patients were initially managed with a parotidectomy, and postoperative x-ray radiation therapy (XRT) was administered to 159 patients. The actuarial 5-year cause-specific survival and locoregional control rates were 76% and 81%, respectively. The survival and locoregional control rates for patients treated with surgery alone versus surgery plus postoperative XRT were not statistically different. A multiple regression analysis identified only age and tumour category to be independently significant prognostic factors for both survival and locoregional control.

CONCLUSION

We would recommend that patients with malignant parotid gland tumours be managed with parotidectomy, followed by postoperative XRT for tumours with residual disease, aggressive histology, and/or positive lymph nodes.