Relationship between histopathology of pleomorphic adenoma in the parotid gland and recurrence after superficial parotidectomy.

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the relationships between capsular characteristics and recurrence of parotid pleomorphic adenomas.

METHODS

The pathological slides and clinical data of 110 patients that underwent superficial parotidectomy for pleomorphic adenoma in the parotid gland were reviewed retrospectively. The recurrent and non-recurrent groups comprised 10 and 100 patients, respectively. The two groups were compared with regard to their clinicopathological features, including the capsular characteristics.

RESULTS

Satellite nodules were observed in six of the 10 recurrent group patients (60.0%) but in only 10 of the 100 non-recurrent group patients (10.0%) (P = 0.001). Five of the recurrent group subjects (50%), but only 11 of the 100 non-recurrent group subjects (11.0%), had positive resection margins (P = 0.006). Perioperative rupture of the tumor was observed in three recurrent group subjects (30%), but in only four of the non-recurrent group subjects (4.0%) (P = 0.016). Multivariate analyses showed that the risk of recurrence was more than fivefold higher when satellite nodules were present (P = 0.010) and more than 14-fold higher when the tumor had ruptured (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Satellite nodules and tumor rupture increase the risk of recurrence in patients with pleomorphic adenomas treated by superficial parotidectomy.