Purpose: The treatment and outcome of primary parotid gland non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (PGL) has rarely been described. This retrospective study documents the clinicopathologic features and treatment results in this relatively rare entity.
Patients and methods: This study was conducted on 11 patients diagnosed and treated for primary PGL over a period of 22 years.
Results: Of the 4 male and 7 female patients, only one presented with the classic pattern of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) simultaneous with PGL, and only 4 patients demonstrated a low-grade Maltoma type. None of the patients had evidence of disease at the end of the primary treatment; 4 patients are alive and well from 6 months to 10 years after the end of treatment. Four patients relapsed and died due to therapy-resistant disease and 3 patients died of nonmalignant causes while in complete remission.
Conclusion: The majority of patients with primary non- Hodgkin's lymphoma of the parotid gland present with early- stage disease. Accurate staging is mandatory. Low-grade, localized PGL can be treated successfully with primary radiotherapy alone. The aggressive type of PGL should be treated with combined chemoradiotherapy-based regimens.