Outcomes and Characteristics of Mesenchymal Tumors Involving the Parotid Gland.

BACKGROUND

Malignant mesenchymal tumors involving the parotid gland are uncommon, characteristically aggressive, and little is known with few reports documented.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

SETTING

Single institution tertiary care center, 2010 to 2022.

METHOD: Patients were identified from an institutional parotid tumor database. Patient history, demographics, pathologic diagnosis, treatment, and follow up were documented.

RESULTS

Eight patients were identified, 3 were males. The average age was 61 years old, and the most common tumors identified were pleomorphic sarcomas (3 patients). Presenting symptoms included: preauricular/cheek mass in 7 patients, facial pain (4), otalgia (4), aural fullness (3), and numbness (1). All patients received a parotidectomy, and 4 patients received adjuvant therapy of either radiation or chemoradiation. Post-operatively, there were 3 cases of distant recurrence, 2 cases of regional recurrence, and 1 case of local recurrence. There were 2 reports of death.

CONCLUSION

Malignant mesenchymal tumors of the parotid are rare, represent varied histologies. Due to their aggressive nature, surgical resection with radiation and close follow-up may be an appropriate treatment regimen in controlling the disease.