Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Parotid Gland: The Importance of Correct Histological Diagnosis

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Surgical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background: Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid is an uncommon, aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. The diagnosis is made after excluding metastasis from other sites in the head and neck or other primary malignancies of the parotid.

Methods: Tumor registry data from 1974 to 1994 were reviewed at three University of Louisville- affiliated hospitals. Of 370 parotid tumors, 40 (11%) were initially classified as squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid. Chart review and histological specimen re-examination were conducted to confirm diagnosis.

Results: Only 8 (2%) of the 370 cases, were considered true primary squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid. Patients with metastases to the parotid from primary sites within the upper aerodigestive tract or skin of the head and neck region and high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid were excluded. Facial nerve dysfunction was a presenting complaint in three patients. Two patients presented with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJC) clinical stage III disease and six with AJC stage IV disease. All patients were treated with total parotidectomy and radiotherapy. One patient (12%) is alive and free of disease. Median survival was 13 months (range, 11 months–7 years).

Conclusions: Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid is uncommon, occurring in 2% of parotid neoplasms at our institution. This is an aggressive malignancy, usually presenting in advanced stage and with facial nerve involvement or cervical metastases. Prognosis is poor even with radical surgery and adjunctive radiotherapy. Careful clinical and histological review is necessary to differentiate primary squamous cancer of the parotid from metastases or other primary parotid malignancy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. Spiro RH, Huvos AG, Strong EW. Cancer of the parotid gland: a clinicopathologic study of 288 primary cases. Am J Surg 1975;130:452–459.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Foote FW, Frazell EL. Tumors of the major salivary glands. American Registry of Pathology: Armed Forces Institute of Pathology 1953;6:1065.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Eneroth CM. Histological and clinical aspects of parotid tumours. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl 1964;191:4–46.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Woods JE, Chong GC, Beahrs OH. Experience with 1,360 primary parotid tumors. Am J Surg 1975;130:460–462.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Batsakis JG, McClatchey KD, Johns M, Regazi J. Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland. Arch Otolaryngol 1976;102:355–357.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Sterman BM, Kraus DH, Sebek BA, Tucker HM. Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland. Laryngoscope 1990;100:146–148.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Ellis GL, Aucler PL, Gnepp DR. Major problems in mucoepidermoid carcinoma. In: Surgical Pathology of the Salivary Glands. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1991, 269–298.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Rosai J. Major, and minor salivary glands. In: Rosai J, Ackerman LV, eds. Ackerman’s Surgical Pathology. 8th ed. St. Louis: Mosby-Year Book, 1996:815–856.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Conley JJ. Salivary Glands and the Facial Nerve. New York: Grune & Stratton, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Biorklund A, Eneroth CM. Management of parotid gland neoplasms. Am J Otolaryngol 1980;1:155–167.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Freeman FJ, Beahrs OH, Woolner LB. Surgical treatment of malignant tumors of the parotid gland. Am J Surg 1965;110:527–533.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Guillamondegui OM, Byers RM, Luna MA, Chiminazzo H, Jesse RH, Fletcher GH. Aggressive surgery in treatment for parotid cancer: the role of adjunctive postoperative radiotherapy. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1975;123:49–54.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Flynn, M.B., Maguire, S., Martinez, S. et al. Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Parotid Gland: The Importance of Correct Histological Diagnosis. Ann Surg Oncol 6, 768–770 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10434-999-0768-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10434-999-0768-y

Key Words

Navigation