An overview of cases of parotid gland tumors managed in a teaching hospital, North-west, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: Salivary gland tumors are mostly slow growing and painless. Majorities are located in the parotid glands and are benign. Treatment of these parotid tumors may endanger the facial nerve. This study evaluated the clinical presentation and management of parotid gland tumors in Kaduna, North-west, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients that were treated for parotid gland tumors at the Maxillofacial Unit of Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, North-west, Nigeria over a period of 13years (January 2008 to December, 2020). Patients’ records were analyzed for age, sex, clinical presentation, investigations, surgical management, histological diagnosis and outcome of treatment.

Results: A total of 55 patients with parotid gland tumors were seen. Age range was 12 - 75 years with a mean of 45.5 (SD± 0.7) years. The male: female ratio was found to be 1.1: 1. Pleomorphic adenoma was the commonest tumour (n=28, 50.9%). Four (7.3%) patients who had been on antiretroviral medications were seen with massive tumors. Superficial parotidectomy was the commonest surgical procedure carried out in these patients. Patients with malignancies were referred for post-surgical radiotherapy. High early recurrences were noticed in patients who were retroviral positive.

Conclusion: Pleomorphic adenoma was commonest tumors treated and superficial parotidectomy was the commonest surgical procedure performed for the treatment of parotid gland tumors. Post-operative radiotherapy as an adjunct was carried out in cases with diagnosis of malignant lesions.