Management and prognosis of cancers in the accessory parotid gland

Abstract

Objective This study was performed to analyze the clinical management of accessory parotid gland (APG) cancer and possible risk factors for disease-related death. Methods Patients diagnosed with primary APG cancers in the largest medical center in Northeast China were enrolled from January 1990 to December 2016. Results All 43 patients underwent resection of the tumors and superficial parotid gland by a standard Blair incision. Seven (16.3%) patients also required selective neck dissection. The most common lesion was mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Temporary facial paralysis occurred in 11 (25.6%) patients, and permanent facial paralysis occurred in 3 (7.0%) patients because of surgical resection of the facial nerve, which was involved with the tumor. The 5- and 10-year disease-specific survival rates were 86.0% and 66.0%, respectively. The tumor stage, neck status, neck dissection, and tumor grade were significantly associated with disease-related death, but only the tumor grade was an independent risk factor. Conclusion Superficial parotidectomy is a reliable surgical procedure associated with a high survival rate and low morbidity in treating APG cancers. The tumor grade is the key prognostic factor.