Oncological outcome and prognostic factors in malignant parotid tumours

ObjectiveTo evaluate the oncological outcome of malignant parotid tumours and identify the prognostic factors for survival.Study designRetrospective study.MethodsOne hundred and forty-one patients with primary epithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland were examined. The overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS) rates were calculated. The DSS was evaluated according to different parameters.ResultsThe 5- and 10-year OS rates were 72.3% and 58.4%. The 5- and 10-year DSS rate was 75% and 71%, respectively. The univariate analysis showed that the pathological staging, clinical and pathological tumour and nodal status, surgical procedure and histological subtype significantly influenced the DSS (P ≤ 0.05). The 5- and 10-year loco-regional control rates were 82.1% and 78%. The multivariate analysis showed that the pathological nodal status and the pathological staging influenced the DSS. It further demonstrated that the clinical tumour status and the histological subtype were the most important preoperative prognostic factors.ConclusionThe pathological nodal status, the pathological staging, the clinical tumour status and the histological subtype are the most important factors influencing survival in malignant parotid tumours.