Parotid cancer: treatment and results

The records of 74 consecutive patients with primary parotid malignancy were reviewed. The age and sex incidence was comparable to that described in previous studies; we observed a high incidence of adenocarcinoma not reported by other investigators. Stage at the time of examination and histologic grade of tumor were independent statistically significant predictors of clinical outcome. Long survival with low grade disease and late recurrence were common. Radiation therapy has been shown to increase survival in a number of studies; however, it had no demonstrable benefit in our series. Parotid cancer should be managed aggressively and early surgery is indicated for all parotid neoplasms. Neck dissection is indicated for clinically positive nodes and high grade cancers; radiation therapy is indicated for high grade cancers and residual disease.