Parotid Mass as First Presentation of Malignant Lymphoma

Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology 2001;17(1):26-31.
Published online May 30, 2001.

Woong Youn Chung;Hyo Sang Lee;Jin Hak Seo;Woo Ik Yang;Cheong Soo Park

이하선 종괴로 발현된 악성 림프종

정웅윤;이효상;서진학;양우익;박정수

Abstract

Background: Primary malignant lymphoma of the parotid gland is a rare disease and defined as any malignant lymphoma that first manifests in the parotid gland, regardless of the subsequent stage of the diseases, whether it arises in the parenchyma or intraglandular lymph nodes. This study was performed to review the clinicopathological characteristics of primary parotid lymphoma and identify its optimal treatment modality. Materials and Methods: Six cases with parotid mass as first presentation of malignant lymphoma between 1988 and 2000, were studied on the basis of clinical features, diagnostic tools, treatment modality, treatment outcomes, and clinical stage by Ann Arbor Criteria. All were microscopically reevaluated and classified by NCI working formulation.
Results
All patients were males and mean age was 36.7 years (2-66 years). Rapid growing non-tender mass was presented in all the cases and cervical lymphnodes were palpated in 4 cases. However, there was not any evidence of concurrent autoimmune disease such as Sjogren's syndrom or Rheumatoid arthritis. One case was confirmed by surgical specimen after superficial parotidectomy, 2 by excisional biopsy, and 3 by incisional biopsy. The stage of disease by NCI working formulation was IE in 1 patient, IIE in 4 and IV in 1. All were classified into non-Hodgkin' lymphoma, of which there were 5 cases of B-cell type and 1 case of T-cell type. There were 3 diffuse large cell lymphomas, 1 Burkitt lymphoma, 1 MALT lymphoma and 1 T-lymphoblastic lymphoma. Three cases were treated by chemotherapy only, 2 by radiotherapy only and 1 by chemo-radiotherapy. One case with Burkitt lymphoma was died from the disease and one case was lost to follow-up. The others are alive with no evidence of recurrence.
Conclusions
Although primary parotid lymphoma is rare and difficult to diagnose preoperatively, most were detected in early stage and showed a relatively good response to the chemotherapy or radiotherapy like other types of extranodal malignant lymphoma.

Key Words: Parotid mass, Primary malignant lymphoma