What is the optimal treatment of pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid?

The optimal treatment is superficial or total parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation, which results in local control rates of 95% or higher. Radiotherapy (RT) is useful to obtain local control in patients with positive margins, unresectable tumors, and multifocal recurrences after prior resection.

What is pleomorphic adenoma of parotid gland?

Pleomorphic adenomas are benign salivary gland tumors, which predominantly affect the superficial lobe of the parotid gland. The “pleomorphic” nature of the tumor can be explained on the basis of its epithelial and connective tissue origin. The tumor has a female predilection between 30–50 years of age.

Are pleomorphic adenomas cancerous?

Pleomorphic adenomas harbor a small risk of malignant transformation. The malignant potential is proportional to the time the lesion is in situ (1.5% in the first five years, 9.5% after 15 years). Therefore, excision is warranted in almost all cases.

Should pleomorphic adenoma be removed?

These are very aggressive tumors that are treated by radical parotid surgery followed by post-surgical chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Due to the aggressive nature of this tumor, and poor cure rate, it is advised that benign Pleomorphic adenomas be removed to prevent transformation into this cancer.

How do you treat pleomorphic adenoma?

The treatment of choice for pleomorphic adenomas is surgery, although there is the risk of damaging the nerve and causing a facial paresis. For surgically non resectable tumours, radiation therapy is widely used, which is also an effective adjuvant therapy.

Do benign parotid tumors have to be removed?

Treatment of Salivary Gland Tumors If you have a benign tumor, your doctor may recommend surgical removal to prevent it from becoming malignant over time. A benign tumor in the parotid gland can be removed using a surgical procedure called a partial superficial parotidectomy.

What causes pleomorphic adenoma in parotid gland?

The causes of pleomorphic adenomas are still unknown and the risk factors have not been fully ascertained yet. In addition to age, risk factors may be related to smoking habits, alcohol abuse, a diet rich in cholesterol and previous radiation therapy treatments in the face and neck regions.

What are the symptoms of pleomorphic adenoma?

The most common symptom of pleomorphic adenoma, according to studies found on online radiology CME courses, are the development of a lump or swelling on, in, or near your neck, jaw, or mouth. You may also feel numbness and muscle weakness in part of your face, along with continuous pain in your salivary gland.

Can pleomorphic adenoma metastasis?

It is well known that pleomorphic adenomas occasionally undergo malignant transformation to carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma and can metastasize. More rarely pleomorphic adenomas can metastasize without a histological malignant transformation, especially when incomplete excision was performed.

Is pleomorphic adenoma benign?

Although pleomorphic adenomas are benign parotid tumors, it has the potential to turn malignant. The incidence of malignant transformation increases with the duration of the tumor.

Is a parotidectomy necessary?

For many people with parotid gland tumors, parotidectomy is necessary. Parotidectomy is the surgery to remove the parotid gland. Ahead and neck surgeon performs this surgery. The period of recovery from parotidectomy varies with each patient.