Parotid tumors : is surgery always the onlyway ?

Abstract EN

Aim of the study : To analyze the characteristics and management of parotid tumors in a tertiary care center.

Study design : Retrospective cohort study.

Methods : All cases of parotid tumors (or masses) in our department between Jan 1, 1999 and December 31st, 2012 were studied.

Demographic data, clinical characteristics, histopathology and management were analyzed.

We also evaluated the diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in our center.

Results: Of the 216 parotid tumors, 164 underwent parotidectomy and 52 were not managed surgically; 73.1% had a benign tumor (36.6% had Warthin’s tumor) and 16.7% had a malignant one.

In our center, FNAC was found to have a sensitivity for reporting malignancy of 71.4% and a specificity to rule in malignancy of 100%.

Conclusion : In our series, Warthin’s tumor was the most frequent mass probably related to the high tobacco use.

The prevalence of malignant tumors was relatively high in our series.

Primary malignant tumors and pleomorphic adenomas should always be treated surgically, however, lymphomas, metastatic and benign inflammatory masses and cases of Warthin’s tumors could be managed nonsurgically.