[Mucoepidermoid cancer of parotid gland in 14-years-old girl--case report]

Abstract

Introduction: Malignant tumors of salivary glands are rare, especially in children.

Material and method: We present a case report of 14-years-old girl affected by mucoepidermoid cancer of parotid gland.

Results: Patient was admitted to our Department in May 2007 due to small, hard, moveable tumor localized in right mandibular angle. The VII nerve function was normal. Fine needle aspiration revealed inflammatory cells without atypical cytologic features. Intraoperative tumor was hard, with irregular surface, surrounded by capsule, connected with the main trunk of facial nerve and cartilaginous part of external auditory meatus. Tumor was excised together with superficial part of parotid gland and surrounding lymph nodes. After operation no signs of facial nerve damage were observed. Postoperative histopathological examination revealed mucoepidermoid cancer, in 2 out of 6 specimens neoplasmatic cells were seen in border of excised tissue. In June 2007 the second operation was performed. Remain part of parotid gland was removed with right facial nerve and conservative lymph node resection. Facial nerve and its branches were reconstructed with sural and great auricular nerve as donor grafts. The symptoms of nerve damage were observed in early postoperative days adequate to 5th degree of House-Brackman scale (HB5). 4 years after operation function of facial nerve is estimated on HB3. The girl is under regular oncological and laryngological control free of neoplasm recurrence.

Conclusions: Diagnostics and treatment of malignant parotid tumors in children are difficult and clinical picture must be always taken into consideration as the most important factor.