Primary parotid gland Hodgkin's lymphoma

Hodgkin's lymphoma with its primary manifestation in the parotid gland is an exceedingly rare entity and is not usually suspected in the initial evaluation of a parotid mass. Because it is not suspected, the results of fine-needle aspiration cytology are often misleading, and parotidectomy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. The most common subtype encountered is lymphocyte-predominant. The prognosis is favorable; the 5-year survival rate exceeds 90%. Treatment consists of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or both. A case of primary parotid gland Hodgkin's lymphoma is presented along with a review of the literature and a discussion of the evaluation and management of this rare entity.