Purpose: The aim of the present study was to analyze the clinical presentation, histopathology, and complications of parotid tumors, as well as the management of malignant parotid tumors.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 271 patients who underwent parotidectomy from August 1996 to July 2006. Data including age, sex, clinical signs and symptoms, histologic findings, complications, malignant tumor stage, and prognosis were collected from medical charts.
Results: Of the 271 patients who underwent parotidectomy, 229 (85%) had benign tumors, 33 (12%) had malignant tumors, and 9 had chronic inflammatory disease (3%). The most common benign tumor was pleomorphic adenoma (51%), and the most common malignant tumor was mucoepidermoid carcinoma (3%). The 5-year overall survival rate was 42%, and the disease-specific survival rate for malignant tumor was 72%. Only disease stage was the statistically significant prognostic factor of malignancy. The most common complication of parotidectomy was transient facial palsy (18%).
Conclusions: Standardized superficial and total parotidectomy are safe procedures for treating parotid tumors. Management of malignant tumors depends on tumor stage and histologic grade. Advanced tumor stage is a predictor of poor outcome.