Diagnostics and treatment of secondary malignancies of the parotid gland-An overview

Secondary malignancies of the parotid gland frequently have a cutaneous origin and the incidence in central Europe is increasing. The aim of this review article was to present the epidemiology, (differential) diagnostics and treatment of secondary malignancies of the parotid gland. A literature search of the current guidelines and evidence was carried out in the web-based databank PubMed. The incidence of secondary malignancies of the parotid gland seems to be increasing in Europe, mainly due to a rising incidence of metastases of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. Except for malignant lymphomas, parotidectomy is the treatment of choice in the curative situation. In the absence of clear evidence, in the case of an intact facial nerve lateral or total parotidectomy with ipsilateral neck dissection seems to be indicated, depending on the entity of the secondary malignancy. The differential diagnostics of squamous cell carcinoma (in) of the parotid gland can be complicated. When a squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland is diagnosed for the first time, a dermatological full body examination and a detailed medical history should be taken with respect to skin tumors of the head and neck region. In addition to surgical treatment of the parotid gland and neck, adjuvant radiotherapy is usually indicated.