[The problem of deeply situated parotid tumors]

Of 804 surgically treated parotid gland tumours, every fifth (19.9%) was situated medially from the 8th cranial nerve. Among these deep lobe tumours (DLT) there are more malignant tumours (36.8%) than in superficial lobe tumours (SLT; 11.4%). This fits especially the carcinoma arising in pleomorphic adenomas (14.3% in DLT; 3.1% in SLT). Postoperative complications of the 8th cranial nerve, defective tumour capsules, and necessary second or third look operations are more frequently in DLT than with SLT. Early diagnosis of tumours that are still small, is therefore very important.