title: Pleomorphic adenomas: post-operative radiotherapy is unnecessary following primary incomplete excision: a retrospective review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Current standard treatment of Pleomorphic Salivary Adenoma (PSA) of the Parotid Gland is by surgical excision. The management of incomplete excision remains undecided with post-operative radiotherapy advocated by some and observation by others.
  
  
  METHODS
  190 patients who underwent resection of PSA of the parotid gland within the West of Scotland region from 1981 to 2008 were identified and data collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  78/190 patients had a primary incomplete excision. 25/78 received post-operative radiotherapy and 53 were observed. Recurrences occurred in 11/53 in those observed and in 1/25 of those who received radiotherapy. 21/25 complained of significant side effects from the radiotherapy. 38 surgeons performed 190 procedures, with a range of experience from 1 to28 procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiotherapy does appear to reduce recurrence with incomplete excision, however it is associated with significant side effects. We therefore feel radiotherapy should not be routinely recommended. Subspecialisation should be adopted to increase the operating surgeon's experience.
authors.affiliation: Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, Glasgow G4 0SF, United Kingdom. Electronic address: br86@hotmail.co.uk.
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.affiliation: Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, Glasgow G4 0SF, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.affiliation: Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, Glasgow G4 0SF, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shoaib
authors.affiliation: Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, Glasgow G4 0SF, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Soutar
authors.affiliation: Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, Glasgow G4 0SF, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morley
authors.affiliation: Beatson Oncology Centre, Glasgow, G12 0YN, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Robertson
mesh_terms: D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Incomplete excision; Pleomorphic Adenomas; Radiotherapy; Recurrence