Parotid gland metastasis from renal cell carcinoma.

Abstract

To discuss the diagnosis and management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma presenting as a parotid mass by studying such cases. Retrospective review. Identification of 24 previously reported cases of renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the parotid gland in the English language literature and an analysis of a total of 25 patients including our case. Parotid metastasis was the initial presenting sign of the malignancy in the kidney in 14 of 25 (56%) cases; 11 of 25 (44%) cases presented with metachronous metastasis to the parotid. The most common presenting complaint was parotid mass. No case presented with facial paralysis. In three of six (50%) patients, fine-needle aspiration biopsy was diagnostic. In the majority of cases, parotid metastases are the first clinical sign of the renal cell carcinoma. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy can provide crucial information without parotidectomy as in our case. Parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation should be considered as a therapeutic option for solitary parotid metastasis.