Neglected parotid tumors: case report

Tumors of the parotid gland can be challenging if left untreated. We report three cases of patients with initial clinical and therapeutic manifestations of neglected parotid tumours in Madagascar: two women and one man aged 42, 47 and 51 years, with tumours that had been developing for 4, 7 and 11 years respectively. One patient was suspected to have malignant tumour due to skin necrosis. The diagnosis was then confirmed by cytopuncture. After obtaining the informed consent, total parotidectomy was performed in all patients. Facial nerve sacrifice with cervical lymph node dissection was established in the patient with a malignant tumour. No intraoperative adverse events were reported. Parotid tumors can become cancerous without proper treatment. Socio-economic factors are involved in delayed consultation. However, early consultation in patients with parotid tumors would prevent management risks.