Prognostic factors for parotid metastasis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis. 2018 Apr;135(2):99-103. doi: 10.1016/j.anorl.2017.09.006. Epub 2017 Nov 1.

Abstract

Background: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) develops on the head in 80% of cases. Parotid metastasis (PM) is rare, but treatment, which associates surgery and radiation therapy, is heavy and prognosis poor.

Material and methods: All cases of parotidectomy for PM of CSCC of the head and neck between 2005 and 2015 were studied retrospectively. Epidemiologic, oncologic and therapeutic data were analyzed. Overall and specific survival were calculated following Kaplan-Meier. Log-rank and Cox models were used to identify prognostic factors for PM.

Objectives: The principal study objective was to identify factors for survival in PM from CSCC of the head and neck.

Results: Thirty-five patients were included. Mean time to onset of PM was 13months. Overall 1-, 2- and 5-year survival was respectively 70, 66 and 59%. Independent prognostic factors comprised immunodepression, age at treatment, positive CSCC margins, macroscopic facial nerve involvement, and metastatic cervical adenopathies.

Conclusion: The study confirmed an association of several independent prognostic factors at the stage of parotid lymph-node metastasis, related to patient, primary CSCC and PM. Complete primary resection is essential to reduce the risk of PM. Intensified radiologic and clinical surveillance should enable early diagnosis.

Keywords: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma; Metastasis; Parotid; Prognosis.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / secondary*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / mortality
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck Dissection / methods
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Parotid Neoplasms / mortality
  • Parotid Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Parotid Neoplasms / surgery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
  • Treatment Outcome