[Parotidectomy as prophylaxis in malignant melanoma of the fronto-temporal and eyelid skin]

Three patients presented with parotid masses which revealed, on frozen section, to be metastatic lesions from malignant melanoma. Their medical history confirmed that the removal of cutaneous lesions of the frontal, temporal or eyelid skin had been performed presumedly without histologic examination. Disease staging was assessed as p-T0N1M0. Parotidectomy was performed in all cases without complications, and DTIC was given in one case. One patient died six months after surgery for metastatic disease, another one died disease-free, the third is available for the follow-up. The Authors recommend parotidectomy for prophylaxis in malignant melanoma more than 0.75 mm in thickness which is within a few centimeters of the parotid gland area. Lymphoscintigram might be useful occasionally.