The treatment of mixed parotid tumours by enucleation and radiotherapy

A series of mixed parotid tumours treated by simple enucleation and radiotherapy between 1962 and 1968 is discussed. There were 73 primary and 8 recurrent cases. Only 2 small recurrences occurred in the 73 primary cases, although 4 other patients were lost to follow-up after 7 years or more. In the 8 recurrent cases, 7 had been treated elsewhere by enucleation alone, thus confirming the opinion that this operation is frequently unsuccessful. Treatment was by further local excision and radiotherapy and no recurrences have occurred. The view is therefore expressed that simple enucleation and radiotherapy is the treatment of choice in all primary mixed parotid tumours.