Parotid tumors: a 10-year experience.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to analyze the clinical presentation, histopathology, and complications of parotid tumors, as well as the management of malignant parotid tumors.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 271 patients who underwent parotidectomy from August 1996 to July 2006. Data including age, sex, clinical signs and symptoms, histologic findings, complications, malignant tumor stage, and prognosis were collected from medical charts.


RESULTS
Of the 271 patients who underwent parotidectomy, 229 (85%) had benign tumors, 33 (12%) had malignant tumors, and 9 had chronic inflammatory disease (3%). The most common benign tumor was pleomorphic adenoma (51%), and the most common malignant tumor was mucoepidermoid carcinoma (3%). The 5-year overall survival rate was 42%, and the disease-specific survival rate for malignant tumor was 72%. Only disease stage was the statistically significant prognostic factor of malignancy. The most common complication of parotidectomy was transient facial palsy (18%).


CONCLUSIONS
Standardized superficial and total parotidectomy are safe procedures for treating parotid tumors. Management of malignant tumors depends on tumor stage and histologic grade. Advanced tumor stage is a predictor of poor outcome.
Lin
Ching-Chia
CC
Department of Otolaryngology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Tsai
Ming-Hsui
MH
Huang
Chiu-Chen
CC
Hua
Chun-Hung
CH
Tseng
Hsian-Chang
HC
Huang
Shih-Tzu
ST
D000235:Adenolymphoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D018249:Adenoma, Oxyphilic / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies