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The role of parotidectomy for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

  • Head and Neck
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Abstract

Purpose

Regionally metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (CSCCHN) is usually managed surgically; however, the role of parotidectomy remains controversial. Herein we elucidate the controversy and present our experience.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed disease variables, extent of parotidectomy, and pathologic characteristics in association to outcome measures of all advanced CSCCHN patients who underwent definitive surgical resection from 2008 to 2018.

Results

Sixty-seven patients were enrolled, of whom 47 (70%) underwent parotidectomy; 27 superficial and 20 that included deep lobe resection. Parotidectomy had improved 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) when neck was clinically involved (67.6% vs. 22.2%, P = 0.003 and 75.8% vs. 33.3% P = 0.002, respectively). Elective parotidectomy did not confer survival benefit for patients with no clinical involvement of the parotid gland (41.7% vs. 35%, P = 0.977). Recurrent disease was predictive for parotid metastases (P = 0.034). Thirty-nine patients received adjuvant radiotherapy, which significantly improved OS and DFS versus surgery alone (70.7% vs. 38.1%, P = 0.004 and 77.8% vs. 57.9%, P = 0.014, respectively).

Conclusion

Parotidectomy was associated with improved survival of cervically spread CSCCHN.

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Funding

No funding was received for conducting this study.

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Correspondence to Nidal Muhanna.

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The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

Ethical approval

This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Institutional Review Board at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (IRB0322-18—TLV, protocol approval date 04.06.2018) which waived patient consent.

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Kampel, L., Dorman, A., Horovitz, G. et al. The role of parotidectomy for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 278, 3955–3963 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-020-06574-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-020-06574-8

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