Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Long-term results of local excision and radiotherapy in pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid

Journal Article · · Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States)
Three hundred and eleven patients with primary pleomorphic salivary adenoma of the parotid gland seen between 1950 and 1971 are reviewed. All were managed by a combination of surgery, usually local excision, and irradiation. The minimum follow-up is 10 years. Recurrence rates at 0-5 years and 5-10 years were 1 and 1.5%, respectively, and all recurrences in this period were historically or clinically benign. After 10 years, however, the recurrence rate rose, becoming maximal at 15-20 years (4%) and yielding a cumulative risk of recurrence of 8.0% at 20 years. The late recurrences were predominantly malignant tumors. One tumor was probably radiation-induced; the remainder were compatible with spontaneous malignant transformation of benign pleomorphic adenoma, although radiation may have increased the incidence. In the absence of a comparable purely surgical series, this cannot be determined. The recommendation is made that management of these tumors should be primarily surgical with irradiation reserved for patients presenting surgical difficulties.
Research Organization:
Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland
OSTI ID:
5548349
Journal Information:
Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 11:3; ISSN IOBPD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English