Prognostic factors for squamous cell cancer of the parotid gland: an analysis of 2104 patients

Head Neck. 2015 Jan;37(1):1-7. doi: 10.1002/hed.23566. Epub 2014 Feb 12.

Abstract

Background: Parotid gland squamous cell cancer (SCC) occurs as metastasis from cutaneous SCC or primary malignancy. There is limited data on incidence, prognosis, and treatment outcomes.

Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (1988-2009) identified 2104 adult patients with parotid SCC.

Results: SCC is the second most common parotid malignancy, and its incidence is increasing (annual percentage change 1.7%; ptrend = .004). Age ≥85 years, tumor size ≥4 cm, extraparenchymal extension, cervical metastases, and distant metastases were independently associated with disease-specific mortality. Compared to no surgery, surgery was associated with improved 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS; 44.4% vs 71.0%; p < .001), whereas radiation alone was similar to no treatment (47.0% vs 41.6%; p = .28).

Conclusion: Surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) are associated with improved survival compared to radiation alone and no treatment. Patients ≥85 years of age account for nearly 20% of all patients and have a poor prognosis independent of treatment.

Keywords: parotid; prognosis; salivary; squamous cell carcinoma; survival.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / epidemiology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parotid Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Parotid Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Parotid Neoplasms / therapy
  • Prognosis
  • SEER Program
  • Survival Rate
  • United States