title: Parotid gland tumours. Our experience and a review of the literature.
abstract: In this study the authors examine the experience of their department in treating parotid tumours, evaluating in particular the various surgical techniques as a function of the prognosis and the incidence of relapses. Between 1 January 1970 and 31 December 2002, 336 patients with parotid tumour were observed in the Department of Surgical Sciences of "La Sapienza" University in Rome. Two hundred and thirty-nine patients with benign tumours and 65 with malignant tumours were analysed. As far as histological forms were concerned, the benign forms presented a prevalence of pleomorphic adenomas (55.2%) and of Warthin's tumours (36.4%). In the case of malignant tumours, the highest incidence was found for mucoepidermoid carcinomas (29.3%). In the case of benign neoplasms, the surgical strategy opted for was preneural parotidectomy performed in 148 cases (61.9%). Relapsing pleomorphic adenomas were observed in 11.65% of patients controlled, and relapsing Warthin's tumours in 8.7%. In malignant tumours, total parotidectomy was performed in principle, with possible enlargement modulated as a function of tumour stage; owing to causes related to the neoplasm, 18 patients (38.3%) died. In the treatment of benign parotid tumours, preneural parotidectomy is the preferred surgical strategy as it significantly reduces the relapse rate and, when performed by skilled surgeons, is characterized by a complication rate comparable to that of conservative surgery. In the treatment of malignant tumours, total parotidectomy is the basic procedure; extension of the action and the use of ancillary techniques are dependent on tumour stage.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, 3rd Training Program in General Surgery, La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Catania
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Falvo
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: D'Andrea
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Biancafarina
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Stefano
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Antoni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis