Clinical and pathological evaluation of parotid gland tumors: A retrospective study

In this study we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic methods, histopathologic results, operative techniques, complications and follow-up results of our patients with parotid gland tumors who have undergone parotidectomy. Materials and Methods: The files and data of patients whom we operated between 2006-2016 due to parotid masses were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical and operative findings, histopathologic examination, postoperative follow-up results of this patients were analyzed. Results: The mean age of our patients was 49.3 (9-85). 140 of our patients were male and 113 were females. In 202 patients pathologic reports revealed as primer benign tumors, in 50 patients primary malignant tumors and in 1 patient primary benign and malign tumor at the same time were seen. Also secondary malignant pathologies were detected in 26 patients. Of the primary benign tumors, pleomorphic adenoma was the first with 124 cases (64.1%) and Warthin tumor was the second with 55 cases (27.1%). The most common malignant tumor was lymphoma with 11 cases (22%). Lymphoma was followed by mucoepidermoid carcinoma in 10 cases (20%), acinic cell carcinoma in 9 cases (18%) and adenoid cystic carcinoma in 7 cases (14%). Sensitivity and specificity were found to be 62.5% and 97.1%, respectively, in the benign-malignant differentiation of preoperatively fine needle aspiration biopsy. As a surgical procedure in the first operation, 223 patients underwent superficial parotidectomy, 54 patients underwent total parotidectomy and 3 patients underwent radical parotidectomy. In addition to these treatments, neck dissection was performed in 9 patients. According to the postoperative histopathological results, 6 patients underwent complementary surgery. The most common complication was transient marginal mandibular branch paralysis. Conclusion: Patient complaints and clinical findings are important in evaluating the parotid mass. In parotid tumors, fine needle aspiration biopsy is an effective diagnostic method for benign-malignant differentiation. Superficial parotidectomy in benign parotid tumors is a sufficient and effective surgery and the complication rate is very low when carefully applied. For malign tumors, superficial, total or radical parotidectomy should be performed, neck dissection and / or postoperative radiotherapy treatment should be added if necessary. Keywords: Parotid masses, Neoplasia, Parotidectomy