Prognostic factors for squamous cell cancer of the parotid gland: An analysis of 2104 patients

BackgroundParotid gland squamous cell cancer (SCC) occurs as metastasis from cutaneous SCC or primary malignancy. There is limited data on incidence, prognosis, and treatment outcomes. MethodsThe Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (1988-2009) identified 2104 adult patients with parotid SCC. ResultsSCC is the second most common parotid malignancy, and its incidence is increasing (annual percentage change 1.7%; p(trend)=.004). Age 85 years, tumor size 4 cm, extraparenchymal extension, cervical metastases, and distant metastases were independently associated with disease-specific mortality. Compared to no surgery, surgery was associated with improved 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS; 44.4% vs 71.0%; p < .001), whereas radiation alone was similar to no treatment (47.0% vs 41.6%; p=.28). ConclusionSurgery and adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) are associated with improved survival compared to radiation alone and no treatment. Patients 85 years of age account for nearly 20% of all patients and have a poor prognosis independent of treatment. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck37: 1-7, 2015