Oncocytic carcinoma of the parotid gland

Oncocytic carcinoma of the parotid gland as a manifestation of Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome

Renal oncocytomas are commonly reported in association with Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHS) syndrome, while BHD-associated oncocytomas of the parotid gland are rare. To date, there have been only 11 cases of BHD-associated parotid gland oncocytoma, without a reported case of malignant transformation. We present the first reported case of oncocytic carcinoma of the parotid gland associated with BHD, with radiologic and histologic correlation. This case establishes that BHD-associated parotid oncocytic lesions, previously identified only as benign oncocytomas in the literature to date, can undergo malignant transformation, and should potentially be regarded with a higher index of suspicion and lower threshold for aggressive management.

The diagnosis and treatment of oncocytic carcinoma

The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of oncocytic carcinoma. This was a retrospective study of 7 patients with oncocytic carcinoma according to the 2005 World Health Organization classification guidelines who underwent 1 or more surgical interventions within the last 20-year period from 1992 to 2012. The lesions were located in the parotid glands in 5 patients, the submandibular glands in 1 patient, and the sublingual gland in 1 patient. One of the patients experienced tumor recurrence after conservative surgery before he was admitted to our department. Five patients were treated with a total parotidectomy, and 3 underwent additional neck dissection. Only 1 patient died, as a result of pulmonary metastases. After a follow-up period of 3 to 198 months, no recurrences were found in any of the surviving patients. On the basis of our experience, poorly differentiated oncocytic carcinoma should be treated with the total resection of the affected salivary gland and a selective neck dissection. Patients with oncocytic carcinoma should remain in long-term follow-up.

Oncocytic carcinoma of the parotid gland with facial nerve invasion

Approximately 3% of all head and neck neoplasms originate in the parotid gland and less than 1% are oncocytic. We present the rare case of a 44-year-old man with oncocytic carcinoma of the parotid gland with facial nerve invasion and discuss the characteristics of this rare entity.