Giant Pleomorphic Adenomas of Parotid Gland: a Case Series

The parotid gland is the largest salivary gland in the body. Pleomorphic adenomas (PA) are most common benign tumors of parotid gland. If left untreated, they can gradually attain the size which can weigh several kilograms. This paper highlights a case series of 15 cases diagnosed as giant pleomorphic adenoma arising in the parotid gland along with their management. A hospital based, observational study of 15 patients of PA of the parotid gland, > 10 cm in its widest dimension considered as giant, done at tertiary care ENT hospital over period of 9 years. The age of the patients ranged from 30 to 81 years with mean age 50.33 ± 15.30 years. There were 5(33.33%) males and 10(66.67%) females. The time duration of having tumor ranged from 5 to 20 years with mean duration of 10.4 ± 4.17 years and the largest tumor was 25 cm in its largest diameter. Mean weight of tumors was 2.72 ± 0.52 kg. One out of fifteen cases was detected as malignant in nature. All cases were treated by surgical excision without any complications. Pleomorphic adenoma of parotid gland can assume a giant proportion when timely surgical intervention is not done. We can build up confidence and hope for life in patients after complete surgical excision of giant PA.