Small cell carcinoma of the parotid gland

Tumors of the salivary glands are rare; in the vast majority of cases, they are localized in the parotid salivary gland and can be malignant or benign. Primary small cell cancer of the parotid salivary gland develops more often in men aged 50—80 years and is clinically manifested as a painless, fast-growing node. The diagnosis of these tumors is based on immunohistochemical confirmation of simultaneous epithelial and neuroendocrine differentiation. Due to the rarity of primary neuroendocrine small cell cancer of the parotid salivary gland, there is no specific generally accepted treatment regimen. Currently, surgical, radiation, and medicinal methods of antitumor treatment are used in such situations. Chemotherapy regimens usually include platinum preparations in combination with other medicinal agents. This article presents a clinical case of palliative chemotherapy in a patient with bilateral synchronous small cell carcinoma of this localization.