[Primary carcinoma of the parotid gland. A retrospective study of 31 cases]

The medical records of 31 patients with histologically proven primary carcinoma of the parotid gland seen between January 1980 and December 1992 were reviewed. The efficiency of combined treatment both on locoregional control and overall survival was assessed. Twenty nine patients underwent extensive surgery and postoperative radiotherapy, two patients underwent extensive surgery alone. Locoregional control of disease at the end of treatment was achieved in 29 patients (94%). Eleven patients had recurrences. For the complete series the overall two and five-year survival rates were 73% and 46% respectively. Even in case of locoregional control with combined treatment, overall survival rates are low because of distant metastases.