[Leiomyosarcoma of the parotid gland]

Introduction: Primary leiomyosarcoma of the parotid gland is an extremely rare neoplasm, develops from smooth muscle cells. Its primary origin in the face and especially in the salivary glands is even more rare.

Case report: A 15-year-old boy, with no prior history was hospitalized for swelling in the left parotid area having appeared 5 months before. The mass was painless and there was no facial paralysis. CT scan showed a tumoral process of mixed density in the left parotid gland. Thoracoabdominal CT scan was normal. Conservative parotidectomy was performed. The histological diagnosis was primary leiomyosarcoma of the parotid gland.

Discussion: Five per cent of salivary gland primitive tumors are of mesenchymatous origin, of which 0.3 to 1.5% are sarcoma. The diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma of the parotid gland is confirmed by histological and immunohistochemical assessment. Surgery sometimes combined to radiochemotherapy seems to be the treatment of choice.