Diagnosis and treatment of primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the parotid gland: a retrospective study - Experience at the Northern Israel Oncology Center (1977-1999).

PURPOSE: The treatment and outcome of primary parotid gland non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (PGL) has rarely been described. This retrospective study documents the clinicopathologic features and treatment results in this relatively rare entity.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

This study was conducted on 11 patients diagnosed and treated for primary PGL over a period of 22 years.

RESULTS

Of the 4 male and 7 female patients, only one presented with the classic pattern of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) simultaneous with PGL, and only 4 patients demonstrated a low-grade Maltoma type. None of the patients had evidence of disease at the end of the primary treatment; 4 patients are alive and well from 6 months to 10 years after the end of treatment. Four patients relapsed and died due to therapy-resistant disease and 3 patients died of nonmalignant causes while in complete remission.

CONCLUSION

The majority of patients with primary non- Hodgkin's lymphoma of the parotid gland present with early- stage disease. Accurate staging is mandatory. Low-grade, localized PGL can be treated successfully with primary radiotherapy alone. The aggressive type of PGL should be treated with combined chemoradiotherapy-based regimens.