title: A giant sarcoma of the parotid gland: a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: METHODS
  Primary low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is an extremely rare tumour of the salivary glands and arises from undifferentiated pluripotential mesenchymal cells. We report a case of a huge (17 x ll x 10 cm) primary LGFMS of the parotid gland of a 57-year-old woman. Clinically, a 12x8 cm firm, non-tender, left parotid mass was observed, facial nerve function was not impaired and no enlarged lymph nodules were palpated on the neck. A contrast axial CT scan showed intense enhancement of the enlarged left parotid gland. The fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was compatible with sarcomatous tissue. The tumour was removed en bloc and the facial nerve was sacrificed; surgical margins were free from disease. Microscopically, the tumour consisted of fibrous and myxoid tissue with varying grades of cellularity and gradual transitions between the two. Post-operative radiotherapy was carried out on the left neck region and parotid tumour bed. Thirty-six months after surgery the patient presents good general conditions without any evidence of local or regional disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The largest primary LGFMS of the parotid gland described in the literature is reported and a review of the literature on such neoplasms is also provided.
authors.affiliation: Ear, Nose and Throat Department, University Hospital Zariza Joanna, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Boijo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Botev
authors.forename: Manuele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Casale
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vincenzi
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: D'Ascanio
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Di Marino
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baldi
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tonini
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Salvinelli
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome