Salivary Duct Carcinoma of the Accessory Parotid Gland

Abstract

Objective: 1) Present a rare case of salivary duct carcinoma of the accessory parotid gland (APG). 2) Understand the current prevalence, diagnosis, and management of benign and malignant tumors of the APG.

Method: This study includes a case presentation and literature review. The literature review included articles from October 1966 to January 2010 and included all cases of accessory parotid gland tumors in adults.

Results: One hundred and nineteen cases with 19 different tumor types were reported in the accessory parotid gland (APG). Pleomorphic adenoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma represented 50% and 23%, respectively. There were no previously reported salivary duct carcinomas of the APG. Forty percent of APG neoplasms were malignant. This malignancy rate was comparable to previous studies reporting a higher rate of malignant tumors in the APG compared with 15% to 20% in parotid tumors. A standard parotidectomy remains the preferred approach with less risk to the facial nerve compared with direct cheek resection and transoral approaches.

Conclusion: Most tumor types that have been identified in the parotid gland have also been found in the APG, including this latest finding of salivary duct carcinoma in the accessory gland. The rate of malignant tumors of the APG appears to be higher than that of the main parotid gland.