Clinical and pathological analysis of parotid gland tumor in adolescent: report of 31 cases

To investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of the parotid gland tumor in adolescent for providing clinical evidence for its treatment.

The clinical and pathological data of 31 adolescents (10-19 years old) from Jan. 2003 to Dec. 2011 were retrospectively studied and compared with 516 adult cases at the same time.

38.7%(12/31) of the parotid gland tumors in adolescent were malignant, but only 17%(88/516) in adults. Among the 31 cases, 19 cases were benign tumor (61.3%), 12 cases were malignant tumor (38.7%). Among the benign cases, pleomorphic adenoma was the most common diseases, which accounted for 89.5%(17/19). Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (5/12) was the most common malignancy. All of the 31 cases were treated surgically, and 2 malignant cases were treated combined with postoperative radiotherapy.

The clinical and pathological features of parotid gland tumors in adolescent are different from those in adults, and more attention should be paid to this phenomenon. Operative treatment is the preferred treatment of parotid gland tumor in adolescent, which should be early and thorough. Thus far, there is great dispute on postoperative radiotherapy.