Clinical features of pediatric parotid tumors: 10-year experience of a single institute

Abstract

Conclusions: Parotidectomy remains the mainstay of treatment for both benign and malignant lesions of the pediatric parotid gland. Adjuvant radiation therapy should be used judiciously in pediatric patients due to the higher risk of post-irradiation complications.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to define the incidence and treatment of pediatric parotid tumors, and to determine what factors are useful in the management of these lesions.

Methods: From June 2002 to June 2012, 22 patients ≤18 years of age with parotid mass were treated at Chonnam National University Hospital. Information on patient characteristics, clinical and histopathologic tumor characteristics, and treatment modalities and their results was obtained from the medical records.

Results: The 22 patients comprised 11 males and 11 females. Eighteen patients had a benign tumor and four patients had a malignant tumor. The most common benign tumor was pleomorphic adenoma (63.6%) and the most common malignant tumor was mucoepidermoid carcinoma (9%). The most common treatment was superficial parotidectomy. Three patients required adjuvant radiotherapy. None of the patients had major complications or facial nerve palsy.