The Heterogenicity of Parotid Gland Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Study of 49 Patients

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to critically evaluate diagnostic workup, treatment and outcome of parotid gland squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively examined 844 consecutive cases of parotid surgery in a German teaching hospital between 1975 and 2017. RESULTS: A total of 748 patients had parotid surgery. A total of 118 patients (15.7%) had a malignant tumour. Of those 49 patients had SCC accounting for 6.6% of all cases, and 41.5% of all malignant tumours. SCC typically affected males (79.6%) of advanced age. A total of 86% of patients had metastatic disease; three cases were primary SCC. Most primary carcinomas were skin (n=26) or pharynx (n=10). Four cases were carcinomas of unknown primary. We performed radical parotidectomy in 47 cases, neck dissections in 42 cases and adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy in 44 cases. CONCLUSION: The majority of parotid SCC are metastases. In cases without known primary lesion and lack of infiltrative tumour growth, a carcinoma with unknown primary should be considered.