Malignant melanoma of the parotid gland

We report a case which demonstrates pitfalls in the management of a parotid gland mass and highlights behaviour of malignant melanoma that is not widely appreciated. The danger of assuming a benign histological diagnosis of such a mass and the subsequent delay of definitive surgery is demonstrated. Metastases within the parotid gland are not uncommon, melanoma being one of the commonest sources. A search should always be made for a primary tumour in the head, neck and chest. This can be made exceptionally difficult by the uncommon phenomenon of spontaneous regression of the primary melanoma.