Parotid gland tumours in Turkish population: analysis of 165 patients

Retrospective data on 165 patients who presented with a parotid mass and underwent surgery in our clinics during 2000-2009 were examined. The obtained data (demographic data, surgical procedures, histopathological diagnoses) were compared to similar studies to make contributions to the literature.

Patients were classified according to their histopathological diagnosis. Surgical procedures and patient follow-up were clarified. The results are presented as means and standard deviations.

Of the 165 masses, 134 (81.3%) were benign and 31 (18.7%) were malignant. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common benign tumour (79 patients, 59%). Lymphoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma were equally common and were the most common malignant parotid gland tumours (both 6 patients, 19.3%). The most frequent surgical procedure was superficial parotidectomy (92 patients, 55.7%), and the most commonly encountered surgical complication was facial paralysis (12 patients, 7.2%).

Our data are generally in line with the literature but lymphoma was more common than in most previous reports. Although the number of cases was low, the high incidence of parotid gland lymphoma was remarkable.