Parotid gland metastasis from carcinoma of the breast detected by PET/CT: Case report and review.

RATIONALE

The parotid gland is an unusual site for metastatic disease from breast cancer, and it usually has a poor prognosis.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 36-year-old woman presented to our department with a swelling in her left parotid gland. The patient did not receive any other treatment after breast conserving surgery.

DIAGNOSES

Multifocal metastases in the bones, lymph nodes, left parotid and contralateral mammary gland were proved by PET/CT.

INTERVENTIONS

Eight cycles of first-line rescue chemotherapy, combining with zoledronic acid in treatment of bone metastasis, followed by the combination of endocrine therapy and ovarian function suppression after chemotherapy.

OUTCOMES

The patient obtained clinical complete response in the metastasis tumor of parotid gland, lymph nodes, and bones.

LESSONS

It is necessary for patient to receive comprehensive treatment after receiving surgery. Through this case, we present the appropriate management of advanced breast cancer accompanying with the parotid gland metastasis. PET/CT is a useful method to diagnose and evaluate the metastasis lesions.