Outcomes for Parotid Carcinoma in a Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Objective: 1) Analyze the epidemiological, clinical, surgical and histologic characteristics of patients submitted to surgery for parotid carcinoma in a teaching hospital.

Method: A retrospective study of patients’ records diagnosed with parotid carcinoma between 2003 and 2010. We included only the patients submitted with a parotidectomy for primary parotid carcinoma with no previous treatment.

Results: A total of 20 patients were included, with a median follow-up of 29.6 months. The median age at diagnosis was 42.6 years, with a male:female rate of 1:1. The most prevalent histological type was the low grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma (35%). There was a balance between patients with pathologic stage I (40%) and IV (40%). Treatment involved total parotidectomy, neck dissection and post-operative radiotherapy in, respectively, 75%, 45%, and 45%. Four patients (20%) presented lymph node cervical metastasis, which was the same rate of patients with locoregional recurrence.

Conclusion: The patients presented similar characteristics to the literature, although the average age at diagnosis was lower than other studies.