Vol.102 No.7 contentsPRACTICA OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGICA
Vol. 102 No. 7 July 2009
Recurrent Pleomorphic Adenomas of the Parotid Gland
Shigeru Kasugai, Shoji Watanabe, Takashi Otsuka and Izumi Koizuka
(St. Marianna University School of Medicine)
We analyzed the clinical courses, pathological findings, and methods of surgery in 5 patients with recurrent pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland.
Of the 5 patients, 3 were male and 2 were female. The average age was 38.8 years at the first surgery. The mean interval to recurrence was 7.6 years, ranging from 2 to 17 years.
Total or partial parotidectomy was performed in all 5 patients. Second recurrence after surgery was not recognized in four out of the five over an average period of 36.6 monthes. However, one patient experienced recurrence four times, and metastasis to the neck lymph nodes was suspected on MRI.
Most recurrences of the parotid tumor show a myxoid type, but this trend was not recognized in the present study.
It is essential that the complete resection of the tumor and surrounding tissue, including scar tissue of the skin, mastoid tip, and muscles, be carried out during surgery. Although preservation of the facial nerves is important, it is sometimes necessary to sever them. A few of these tumors may become malignant, and so recurrent tumors should be followed up carefully.
Key words :pleomorphic adenoma, parotid gland, pathology, recurrent tumor