Comparison of partial and superficial or total parotidectomies for superficial T1-2 primary parotid cancers.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the oncological outcomes of partial and superficial or total parotidectomies for superficial T1 or T2 primary parotid cancers and investigate their prognostic factors and recurrence patterns.

METHODS: The medical records of 77 patients with T1-2 primary parotid malignancies between May 2003 and March 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the prognostic factors associated with overall survival, disease-free survival, and local and distant recurrences.

RESULTS: The average follow-up duration was 70.2 months (range,12-202 months). The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 88.7% and 77.1%, respectively. Twenty-two patients underwent partial parotidectomy, and 55 underwent superficial or total parotidectomy. There were no significant differences in the disease recurrence (P=0.320) and mortality rates (P=0.884) of the partial and superficial or total parotidectomy groups. The mean duration of surgery was shorter and the overall complication rates were significantly lower for the partial group than for the superficial or total parotidectomy group (P=0.049). Sixteen cases of recurrence occurred during the study period (20.8%). Univariate analyses showed that high-grade tumors (P=0.006), lymphovascular invasion (P=0.046), and regional lymph node metastasis (P=0.010) were significant risk factors for disease recurrence. Multivariate analysis identified regional lymph node metastasis as an independent prognostic factor for disease recurrence (P=0.027), and lymphovascular invasion as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (P=0.033).

CONCLUSION: The conservative surgical approach of partial parotidectomy can yield oncologic outcomes comparable to superficial or total parotidectomies under careful patient selection in T1-2 parotid cancers.