Abstract
The rarity of malignant tumors in the periorbital area makes it difficult to assess metastasis to the parotid gland and cervical lymph nodes, and to determine the optimal treatment. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 5 patients with metastasis to the parotid gland and cervical lymph nodes from malignant tumors in the periorbital area except for malignant lymphoma and malignant melanoma. The primary sites of malignant tumors were ocular adnexa in 3 cases and eyelid in 2 cases. At the time of diagnosis, parotid metastasis was found in 1 case, both parotid and cervical lymph node metastasis in 2 cases, and cervical lymph node metastasis in 2 cases. As the initial treatment for the primary tumors, wide surgical excision was performed in 4 cases, and carbon ion radiotherapy was adopted in 1 case. To treat the metastatic lesions, total parotidectomy and neck dissection was performed in 2 cases, superficial parotidectomy and neck dissection in 1 case, and neck dissection in 2 cases. Postoperative radiotherapy for metastatic lesions was performed in 4 cases. One of the 5 cases died from metastatic disease, while the other 4 remain alive without disease.
Surgical treatment for metastasis to the parotid gland and cervical lymph nodes from malignant tumors in the periorbital area remains controversial. The extent of parotidectomy and neck dissection, and the efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy, will need to be discussed.
