Carcinoma of the parotid gland. Analysis of treatment results and patterns of failure after combined surgery and radiation therapy.

BACKGROUND

The authors retrospectively studied 62 patients with malignant parotid tumors, treated by combined surgery and radiation therapy between 1975 and 1989. No patients were lost to follow-up, and all living patients were interviewed. The median follow-up time was 66 months.

RESULTS

Among the 62 patients, there were five isolated local failures. Distant failure was observed in 11 patients. Neck failure was uncommon except in patients with advanced neck disease on presentation. The actuarial 5-year and 10-year local control rates were 95% and 84%, respectively. The corresponding actuarial disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 77% and 65%, respectively. Patients with larger tumors, recurrent disease, or involvement of the facial nerve tended to have lower DFS rates. No statistically significant differences were observed for patients treated with once-daily versus twice-daily radiation therapy fractionation schemes.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment was well tolerated, and severe treatment sequelae were uncommon. In summary, surgery in combination with radiation therapy is highly efficacious in controlling malignant tumors of the parotid gland.