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Benign Parotid Tumors

Updated: Mar 09, 2015
Author: Sanford Dubner, MD; Chief Editor: Deepak Narayan, MD, FRCS more...

Significance
Salivary gland disorders are not a major public health problem in the Western world.
Neoplasms of the salivary glands account for fewer than 3% of tumors in the US and only 6%
of head and neck neoplasms.

Salivary gland tumors in children are uncommon, but the frequency of malignant tumors is
higher in children than in adults. (For more information, see Medscape Reference article
Malignant Parotid Tumors.) All masses in children require thorough diagnostic evaluation.
Benign masses of the parotid gland in children may be due to vasoformative abnormalities,
cysts, inflammatory processes, or neoplasms. The most common intraparotid mass is the
benign lymph node, as a significant number of lymph nodes are present in the parotid. The
most common benign tumor in children is the hemangioma. Of the benign epithelial tumors,
the mixed tumor (pleomorphic adenoma) is the most common.

Anatomy
The parotid gland is the largest of the major salivary glands. It arises as an epithelial
proliferation from the lining of the oral cavity at 5 weeks postovulation. It lies in the preauricular
region deep to the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) divides
the gland into the larger superficial and smaller deep component. Though these are commonly
referred to as the superficial and deep lobes, they are not true lobes.

The parotid duct (Stensen duct) courses from the anterior border of the parotid gland below the
zygoma, crosses the masseter muscle and the buccal fat pad, and turns deep to penetrate the
buccinator muscle, finally opening intraorally at a papilla opposite the second upper molar. The
duct varies in length from 4.0-7.0 cm. The parotid tail extends inferiorly into the neck as low as
the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Acinar cells of the parotid gland are primarily secretory and
produce thin, watery saliva devoid of mucous.

Incidence and Etiology

Approximately 2500 new cases of salivary gland neoplasms are diagnosed each year. Parotid
neoplasms account for 80% of salivary neoplasms. Of parotid masses, 75% are neoplastic; the
remaining 25% are nonneoplastic infiltrative processes, such as cysts and inflammation. Of
parotid neoplasms, 70-80% are benign. Except for Warthin tumors, benign tumors of the
parotid gland are more likely to occur in women than in men. The median age for occurrence of
these tumors is in the fifth decade of life. Parotid tumors occur most commonly in Caucasians.
The etiology of these tumors is unknown, but the possibility of an adenoma gene currently is
under investigation for its involvement in the development of pleomorphic adenomas. The most
common benign parotid tumor in children is the mixed tumor.

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History and Physical Examination

A thorough history and physical examination is important in the workup of parotid masses. The
major goal in the evaluation is to determine or exclude the diagnosis of malignancy. History
often is the most useful tool in distinguishing inflammatory from neoplastic masses.

Characteristics of inflammatory conditions are sudden onset, pain, and systemic infection. The
most common presentation is that of an asymptomatic mass (81%) noted incidentally while
washing or shaving the face. [1] Pain (12%) or facial nerve paralysis (7%) is less frequent. Facial
nerve paralysis is more commonly due to malignancy in the presence of a parotid mass, but
most facial nerve paralysis is due to Bell palsy. Parotid masses occur most commonly in the
lower pole, or tail, and in the superficial lobe of the gland.

Physical examination most often reveals a mobile nontender mass that is firm and solitary.
Evaluate the possibility of a deep tumor by intraoral examination, with attention directed to the
tonsillar fossa and soft palate. Inspect the Stensen duct for the character of the salivary flow
(clarity, consistency, purulence) and notation of redness, bulging, and irritation of the ductal
orifice as part of the physical examination. Evaluate the skin, oral cavity, oropharynx, and neck
for possible primary lesions or nodal disease.

Diagnosis
Laboratory studies

Hematologic and serologic tests are of little importance in the workup of salivary gland tumors.

Radiologic studies

Radiologic studies are involved minimally in the workup of an asymptomatic mass.

Plain radiography findings can help the clinician exclude calculi.

Sialography is rarely used. When used, it helps the clinician delineate disorders of ductal
function or anatomy.
CT scan is almost 100% sensitive in detecting a salivary gland mass, but it cannot help
the clinician differentiate between a benign and a malignant mass. It is most helpful in
specifying the size and anatomic extent of a tumor.
MRI is superior in demonstrating benign tumors of the parotid gland because of its
greater contrast than CT scan.
Positron emission tomography (PET) scans may be of value in assessing malignant
tumors, with attention to metastatic adenopathy and distant metastases.

Ultrasonography

A study by Rong et al identified differences between the ultrasonographic characteristics of

Warthin tumors and those of pleomorphic adenomas, including with regard to shape,
vascularity, and the prevalence of cystic areas. The study involved 93 Warthin tumors (61
patients) and 77 pleomorphic adenomas (70 patients), with lobulated lesions representing
38.7% of Warthin tumors and 63.6% of pleomorphic adenomas. Grade 2 or 3 vascularity was
identified in the majority of Warthin tumors (73.1%), while grade 0 or 1 vascularity was present
in most of the pleomorphic adenomas (77.9%); vessel distribution also varied significantly
between the two types of tumors. In addition, cystic areas were identified in 45.2% of the
Warthin tumors but in only 20.8% of the pleomorphic adenomas. [2]

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Biopsy

Fine-needle aspiration may be a valuable pretreatment diagnostic test. Its overall accuracy is
greater than 96%, with a sensitivity for benign tumors of 88-98% and a specificity of 94%. Its
sensitivity for detecting malignant tumors ranges from 58-96%, and its specificity is 71-88%.
Frozen sections are 93% accurate when performed at surgery, but their use is controversial,
since diagnosis depends on the experience of the pathologist with regard to salivary gland
tumors.

The standard biopsy approach is a superficial parotidectomy with preservation of the facial
nerve. For 80-90% of parotid neoplasms, this procedure is both diagnostic and therapeutic. For
this reason, preoperative fine-needle aspiration biopsy is recommended, since it can change
the clinical approach in up to 35% of patients. [3] Lymph nodes can be enucleated, [4] as can
Warthin tumors, and sialadenitis does not require surgical intervention in most cases.

Classification
Table 1. Classification of Benign Primary Epithelial Salivary Gland Tumors (Open Table in a
new window)

Mixed tumor (pleomorphic adenoma)

Warthin tumor (papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum)

Oncocytoma

Monomorphic tumors

Sebaceous tumors

Benign lymphoepithelial lesion

Papillary ductal adenoma (papilloma)

Unclassified

Benign pleomorphic adenoma or benign mixed tumor

See the list below:

Most common parotid neoplasm (80%) [5]

Proliferation of epithelial and myoepithelial cells of the ducts and an increase in stromal
components
Slow growing, lobular, and not well encapsulated
Recurrence rate of 1-5% with appropriate excision (parotidectomy)
Recurrence possibly secondary to capsular disruption during surgery
Malignant degeneration occurring in 2-10% of adenomas observed for long periods, with
carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma occurring most frequently as adenocarcinoma

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Warthin tumor (papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum or

adenolymphoma)

See the list below:

Second most common benign parotid tumor (5%)

Most common bilateral benign neoplasm of the parotid
Marked male as compared to female predominance
Occurs later in life (sixth and seventh decades)
Presents as a lymphocytic infiltrate and cystic epithelial proliferation
May represent heterotopic salivary gland epithelial tissue trapped within intraparotid
lymph nodes
Incidence of bilaterality and multicentricity of 10%
Malignant transformation rare (almost unheard of)

Oncocytoma

See the list below:

Accounts for 1% of salivary gland tumors

Composed of large oxyphilic cells (oncocytes)
May be multiple

Monomorphic tumors

See the list below:

Rare, usually epithelial in origin

Treatment & Management

Superficial parotidectomy is the treatment of choice for most benign tumors in the superficial
lobe. Make every effort to preserve the facial nerve. In order to preserve the facial nerve, it is
important to try to determine the proximity of the nerve to the capsule of the tumor prior to
surgery. Results of a retrospective review showed that malignant tumors were likely to have a
positive facial nerve margin. [6]

Avoid enucleation (except for Warthin tumors and lymph nodes), since it greatly increases the
likelihood of recurrence (up to 80%) and nerve damage. Deep lobe tumors demand total
parotidectomy with preservation of the facial nerve. For recurrences, postoperative radiotherapy
may be administered, with local control rates exceeding 95%.

A study by Cristofaro et al suggested that extracapsular dissection may be superior to

superficial parotidectomy in the treatment of pleomorphic adenoma, with extracapsular
dissection leading to fewer side effects. The study involved 198 patients with pleomorphic
adenomas of the parotid gland, including 153 patients who underwent extracapsular dissection
(mean follow-up 61.02 months) and 45 who underwent superficial parotidectomy (mean
follow-up 66.4 months). The investigators found that although both techniques were
comparably effective, superficial parotidectomy was associated with a significantly greater rate
of transient facial nerve injury and facial paralysis than was the other procedure. [7]

Surgical incision

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Parotidectomy incision should allow for adequate exposure and the most aesthetic result. The
incision begins anterior to the superior root of the helix and descends anterior to the tragus. It
then is directed behind the lobule of the pinna and can be carried down anteriorly onto the
neck as dictated by the need for exposure.

If a large soft tissue defect is created by the excision of the parotid tumor, numerous
autologous or allograft tissues (ie, dermal grafts, fascial grafts, fat grafts, AlloDerm) or synthetic
substances may be used for filling these defects. Try to preserve a layer of tissue (the parotid
fascia or SMAS layer) if it does not compromise the capsule of the tumor. This preservation is
important so that a layer of tissue interposes between the cut salivary tissue and the skin. This
has been shown to reduce the incidence of Frey syndrome (gustatory sweating).

Complications
Parotidectomy can be performed with little morbidity and no mortality. Most serious
complications result from damage to the facial nerve (either temporary or permanent paralysis).
Injury to the greater auricular nerve results in hypesthesia of the ear. A slight loss of fullness
and an increased prominence of the angle of the mandible may occur after superficial
parotidectomy. Uncommon sequelae include salivary fistula, seroma, hematoma, and infection.

Frey (auriculotemporal) syndrome results from aberrant regeneration of auriculotemporal nerve

fibers to sweat glands in the skin. The result is sweating on the affected side of the face during
mastication. The incidence of this complication is variable, depending upon whether the
examiner performs a starch-iodine test. Its incidence may be decreased by interposing a layer
of tissue (either preserving the SMAS layer and replacing it on the surface of the parotid gland
before closing the incision or placing a layer of allograft in a similar position).

References

1. Byrne MN, Spector JG. Parotid masses: evaluation, analysis, and current management.
Laryngoscope. 1988 Jan. 98(1):99-105. [Medline].

2. Rong X, Zhu Q, Ji H, et al. Differentiation of pleomorphic adenoma and Warthin's tumor

of the parotid gland: ultrasonographic features. Acta Radiol. 2014 Dec. 55(10):1203-9.
[Medline].

3. Heller KS, Dubner S, Chess Q, Attie JN. Value of fine needle aspiration biopsy of salivary
gland masses in clinical decision-making. Am J Surg. 1992 Dec. 164(6):667-70. [Medline].

4. Ascani G, Messi M, Balercia P. [Surgical management of pleomorphic adenoma of the

salivary glands: our experience]. G Chir. 2008 Aug-Sep. 29(8-9):343-6. [Medline].

5. Kubiak M, Lapienis MM, Kaczmarczyk D, Morawiec-Sztandera A. [Surgery treatment of

salivary gland tumors]. Otolaryngol Pol. 2008. 62(5):567-73. [Medline].

6. Domenick NA, Johnson JT. Parotid tumor size predicts proximity to the facial nerve.
Laryngoscope. 2011 Nov. 121(11):2366-70. [Medline].

7. Cristofaro MG, Allegra E, Giudice A, et al. Pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid:

extracapsular dissection compared with superficial parotidectomy--a 10-year retrospective
cohort study. ScientificWorldJournal. 2014. 2014:564053. [Medline]. [Full Text].

8. Greenfield LJ, Mulholland M, Oldhan KT. Head and neck. Surgery: Scientific Principles
and Practice. 1997. 635-51.

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Benign Parotid Tumors: Significance, Anatomy, Incidence and Etiology http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1289560-overview

9. Johnson JT, Kohut RI, Pillsbury HC. Head and Neck Surgery-Otolaryngology. 1993.
447-83.

10. OBrien JC. Head and neck I: Tumors. Selected Readings in Plastic Surgery. 2000. 9
(9):30-42.

11. Rodriguez-Bigas MA, Sako K, Razack MS, et al. Benign parotid tumors: a 24-year
experience. J Surg Oncol. 1991 Mar. 46(3):159-61. [Medline].

12. Thawley SE, Panje WR, Batsakis JG. Comprehensive Management of Head and Neck
Tumors. 1987. 1042-138.

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Tables

Table 1. Classification of Benign Primary Epithelial Salivary Gland Tumors

Table 1. Classification of Benign Primary Epithelial Salivary Gland Tumors

Mixed tumor (pleomorphic adenoma)

Warthin tumor (papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum)

Oncocytoma

Monomorphic tumors

Sebaceous tumors

Benign lymphoepithelial lesion

Papillary ductal adenoma (papilloma)

Unclassified

Back to List

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Sanford Dubner, MD Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery, Long Island Jewish
Medical Center, Hofstra University School of Medicine

Sanford Dubner, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of

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Surgeons, American Head and Neck Society, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, New York
Head and Neck Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska

Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Jaime R Garza, MD, DDS, FACS Consulting Staff, Private Practice

Jaime R Garza, MD, DDS, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega
Alpha, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of
Surgeons, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Maxillofacial
Surgeons, Texas Medical Association, Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons

Disclosure: Received none from Allergan for speaking and teaching; Received none from
LifeCell for consulting; Received grant/research funds from GID, Inc. for other.

Chief Editor

Deepak Narayan, MD, FRCS Associate Professor of Surgery (Plastic), Yale University School
of Medicine; Chief of Plastic Surgery, West Haven Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Deepak Narayan, MD, FRCS is a member of the following medical societies: American
Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Surgeons, American Medical
Association, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Society of Plastic Surgeons,
Plastic Surgery Research Council, Royal College of Surgeons of England, Royal College of
Surgeons of Edinburgh, Indian Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

Ashley D Gordon, MD Plastic Surgery Fellow, Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic

Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Lawrence Ketch, MD, FAAP, FACS Head, Program Director, Associate Professor, Department
of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center; Chief,
Pediatric Plastic, The Children's Hospital of Denver

Lawrence Ketch, MD, FAAP, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American
Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Hand Surgery, American Association of Plastic
Surgeons, American Burn Association, American Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association,
American College of Surgeons, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, American Society of
Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Association for Academic
Surgery, andPlastic Surgery Research Council

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard E Kirschner, MD Research Director, Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic

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Surgery, Assistant Professor, Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania

School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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