Parotid lymphoma in west Scotland: two-year 'snapshot' of diagnosis, management and core issues.

OBJECTIVES

To establish whether there is a requirement for a network policy on management of suspected intraparotid lymphoma, and to answer the question, 'Can lymphoma of the parotid region be adequately diagnosed, typed and treated on the basis of a core biopsy, within the West of Scotland?'

METHOD: We identified 22 patients from the West of Scotland Managed Clinical Network database who had been diagnosed between 2003 and 2005 with lymphoma of the parotid region (nodal or extranodal). These 22 cases were reviewed, assessing specifically their investigation and diagnosis (compared with the World Health Organization classification of parotid lymphoma).

RESULTS

Three of the 22 patients underwent core biopsy to diagnose and type their lymphoma. All these procedures were performed within a single centre.

CONCLUSION

It is possible to successfully perform core biopsy of parotid lymphoma lesions (generally under ultrasonic guidance). This may obviate the need for open procedures. Close collaboration with haematology, pathology, radiology, and head and neck colleagues is required.