The Parotid Gland: Its Common Neoplasms

Abstract

Prominent among benign parotid tumors are mixed salivary gland tumor, mucoepidermoid tumor, and papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum. These should be excised locally without sacrificing important fibers of the facial nerve. Common malignant parotid lesions are squamous carcinoma and pseudoadenomatous basal cell carcinoma. Both are highly malignant and warrant total parotidectomy, but preservation of the facial nerve may be possible when the latter lesion is present. If the facial nerve must be sacrificed, one should try to restore function of the facial muscles by means of branched nerve grafts.