Simple enucleation and radiotherapy in the treatment of the pleomorphic salivary adenoma of the parotid gland

A series of 76 patients with a primary pleomorphic salivary adenoma treated by simple extracapsular enucleation and high energy radiation between 1963 and 1976 is presented. Analysis of the results has shown a very low incidence of complications with only minimal cosmetic deformity. Of the 76 patients, only 5 have been lost to follow-up, 3 patients have died of causes unrelated to the tumour and only 1 patient has developed a recurrence. Further local excision in this patient showed the histological appearances of adenocarcinoma.