METASTASES TO PAROTID-GLAND FROM CANCERS OF THE UPPER AIRWAY AND DIGESTIVE-TRACT

Forty-four cases of parotid metastases were diagnosed and treated in t he period 1968-1994. In 10 patients (23%), the primary tumour was site d in the mucosal layer of the upper airway or digestive tract: orophar ynx (n=3), larynx (n=3), nasopharynx (n=2), hypopharynx (n=1) and the maxillary sinus (n=1). Histologically, the primary tumour,vas squamous cell carcinoma in 9 cases and adenocarcinoma in one.One patient recei ved surgical treatment only, two patients surgery and postoperative ra diotherapy, one radiotherapy only, four chemotherapy and two symptomat ic treatment only. Only one patient is alive, disease-free, 5 years af ter treatment. The other patients died: six within 1 year, two within 2 years and one within 3 years of diagnosis.