Cutaneous metastasis from a parotid adenocarcinoma : report of a case with immunohistochemical findings and review of the literature

We present a rare case of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the parotid gland to the skin. Reviewing the histologic features of the primary parotid gland and comparing the microscopic sections and immunohistochemical studies, we concluded the skin tumor to be metastases from the parotid adenocarcinoma. By histologic examination alone, it is difficult to distinguish an eccrine sweat gland carcinoma from a metastatic carcinoma of the salivary gland. Immunohistochemical analysis may not be conclusive. Therefore, clinical history and clinicopathologic correlation are essential in arriving at an accurate diagnosis in these cases.