Malignant Melanoma of the Parotid Gland – Primary or Metastatic ?

Abstract

Involvement of the parotid gland by malignant melanoma is rare. Parotid Metastasis from cutaneous melanoma is uncommon. Primary melanoma of the parotid gland is a controversial entity. A diagnosis of parotid gland malignant melanoma should herald a search for a primary skin neoplasm & this may be exceptionally difficult because of the well recognised though uncommon phenomenon of spontaneous regression of the primary melanoma. A 39 years old male presented with progressive painless enlargement of the parotid gland over the past seven months. Removal of the parotid gland was possible only on the second attempt. A detailed history revealed excision of a pigmented lesion on the contralateral cheek 20 years back. The tumour  was  a  black  heavily  pigmented  lesion  with  varied  morphology.  In spite of low mitotic count there was vascular embolisation. The margins were infiltrative. Patients with parotid gland melanoma have a high incidence of distant spread & significantly worse prognosis, requiring  medical  surgery.

Key Words: Melanoma, Parotid gland.