The Heterogenicity of Parotid Gland Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Study of 49 Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to critically evaluate diagnostic workup, treatment and outcome of parotid gland squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We retrospectively examined 844 consecutive cases of parotid surgery in a German teaching hospital between 1975 and 2017.

RESULTS

A total of 748 patients had parotid surgery. A total of 118 patients (15.7%) had a malignant tumour. Of those 49 patients had SCC accounting for 6.6% of all cases, and 41.5% of all malignant tumours. SCC typically affected males (79.6%) of advanced age. A total of 86% of patients had metastatic disease; three cases were primary SCC. Most primary carcinomas were skin (n=26) or pharynx (n=10). Four cases were carcinomas of unknown primary. We performed radical parotidectomy in 47 cases, neck dissections in 42 cases and adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy in 44 cases.

CONCLUSION

The majority of parotid SCC are metastases. In cases without known primary lesion and lack of infiltrative tumour growth, a carcinoma with unknown primary should be considered.