Prognostic value of a three-grade classification in primary epithelial parotid carcinoma: result of a histological review from a 20-year experience of total parotidectomy with neck dissection in a single institution.

BACKGROUND

The tumour grading of primary parotid cancers (PPCs) remains controversial.

METHODS

A 20-year standardised single centre treatment has been assessed retrospectively. The histological review of 155 consecutively treated parotid malignancies identified 96 suitable cases for univariate and multivariate survival analyses.

RESULTS

Treatment involved total parotidectomy, neck dissection and post-operative radiotherapy in, respectively, 91.7%, 83.3% and 70.4% of cases. The 5-year overall survival, disease-specific and recurrence-free survival rates were 79.4%, 83.5% and 70.8%, respectively. Univariate analysis confirmed the classical prognostic factors, i.e. age>60 years, male gender, facial palsy, hardness of the tumour, clinical stage, tumour grade, facial nerve invasion and lymph node metastases. Multivariate analysis identified a three-grade classification just after the clinical stage as the most important prognostic factor.

CONCLUSION

This study identifies the prognostic significance of intermediate grade tumours.