Irradiation of metastatic parotid carcinoma

Acinic cell carcinomas of the parotid should be considered distinct malignancies despite descriptions of low-grade malignant potential and innocuous histologic patterns. Benign-appearing tumors frequently have a clinically malignant course. Blood-borne metastases may occur early despite gross and microscopic innocence. Indolent growth may be a characteristic of local disease, which may then be approached with less than radical parotidectomy and sacrifice of the facial nerve. These tumors prove to be radiosensitive. More aggressive postoperative irradiation and palliative irradiation is recommended. Two cases of successful palliation of spinal metastases are presented as examples of radiosensitivity of this tumor.