[Pleomorphic giant adenomas of the parotid gland]

A 78-year-old lady is described who was admitted to the hospital with a giant mixed tumour of the left parotid gland that had grown to a weight of 4.5 kg within 24 years; among other things a grotesque scoliosis of the entire spine had been developed due to the misload on the spine over many years. The histological examination revealed a type I finding according to Seifert. In this regard, the literature of the last 140 years was reviewed; reports on 31 patients (20 women = 64.5% and 11 men = 35.5%) with giant mixed tumours of the parotid gland between 1-26.5 kg were published during that period. The age of the first tumour manifestation varied between 20 and 40 years. In 3 cases (= 10%) malignant areas were found within the tumour. It appears that at all times erroneous information and action on the part of the family physician has been one of the main reasons for postponing surgical treatment for too long - in fact, for decades.