Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the parotid gland

INTRODUCTION: Neuroendocrine carcinomas are rarely observed in the parotid gland. CASE REPORT: A 65-year-old woman with an uneventful history was hospitalised for a tumor in the left parotid gland which had progressed for 8 months. The clinical manifestations and the radiological findings were in favour of a malignant process involving the parotid gland. Search for local and regional extension was considered to be negative. The surgical procedure was very difficult but enabled conservative resection of the tumor by total parotidectomy. Pathology results were in favour of a neuroendocrine carcinoma of the parotid gland. External radiotherapy was proposed, but interrupted by the patient after having received 40 Gy. After a 13 month follow-up, the patient was in good general condition without any sign of relapse or metastasis. CONCLUSION: Parotid neuroendocrine carcinomas are rare but need to be individualized owing to their poor prognosis with frequent occurrence of hepatic and pulmonary metastasis.