Introduction

Salivary gland tumors constitute 3% of the neoplasms in the body and 5%-10% of the head and neck tumors (1). 80% of salivary gland tumors are of parotid gland origin. Of these 80% are benign and 20% are malignant (2). However, metastatic tumors are rarely seen in parotid glands. In almost all of them, the primary tumor is located in the head-neck region (3).

The parotid gland contains both extraglandular and intraglandular lymphatic nodes. These lymphatic node groups are interrelated by means of intermediary connections. Lymphatic drainage is mainly into the superior deep jugular lymph nodes that are near the superficial lobe of parotid gland (4). Both the node groups are affected by tumor invasion and metastasis (5).

Metastases to the parotid gland mostly originate from mucosal or epithelial tumors of the head and neck (6). The incidence of metastatic parotid masses is relatively low compared to all the head and neck neoplasms, thus, the number of reported cases are very limited (2,3).

Although rare, parotid gland can also be metastasized from distant neoplasms in the body such as renal cell carcinoma, lung, breast, prostate or gastrointestinal (GI) tract malignancies, leukemia and lymphoma (7).

Metastasis to salivary glands may essentially occur via hematogenous and lymphatic routes. The most common affected salivary gland by metastasis is the parotid gland (3). The relative frequency of metastases in the lymph nodes of the parotid gland is due to numerous lymph vessels and lymph nodes, which are localized in the gland parenchyma or around the parotid gland.

In this paper, we present a 67-year-old patient referred to our clinic for bilateral parotid neoplasms detected by fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of both sides. The patient, who in fact had nasopharyngeal carcinoma with metastasis to the parotid glands, was treated with radiotherapy.

Case

A 67-year-old male presented to the plastic surgery clinic with masses on his both cheeks that appeared 2 months ago. On ultrasonographic evaluation, cystic masses measuring 4x5 cm and 2x3 cm were identified on his right and left cheeks, respectively. FNAB of both sides reported malignant epithelial cells of unknown primary origin. The patient was scheduled for surgery in the Department of Plastic Surgery and a consultation was requested from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology (ORL).

On examination, masses extending from the tragus to the mandibular angle were observed on both sides of the patient’s face. These masses were non-tender, mobile, rubber-like swellings located within the parotid gland parenchyma (Figure 1).

Endoscopic examination revealed a soft, yellow-gray colored, polypoid mass hanging from the right lateral wall of the nasopharynx (Figure 2). However, a perforation in the right tympanic membrane, opacity and slight retraction in the left tympanic membrane were observed on otoscopy.

Since the nasal endoscopy was normal, the polyp was considered to arise from the nasopharynx. Thus, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was requested for further investigation. A well delineated mass in the right lateral nasopharyngeal wall was displayed on contrast-enhanced MRI (Figure 3) and the patient underwent endoscopic biopsy of the nasopharynx. Histopathologic analysis of the biopsy material revealed WHO Type III nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Subsequently, the patient was referred to the radiation oncology clinic for radiation therapy to the nasopharynx and neck. The masses on both the parotid glands and nasopharynx were all cured after radiotherapy and the patient is free of disease at 1-year follow-up.

Discussion

Metastasis to the parotid is mostly from skin squamous cell cancers or melanomas of the head and neck. Since the parotid lymphatic system receives drainage from multiple lymph nodes, metastatic tumors that originate from distant primary tumors may involve the parotid gland (8).

Parotid gland metastatic masses may mimic primary parotid tumors. Metastasis can occur via lymphatic or hematogenous spread. Invasion via lymphatic spread originates from supraclavicular primary tumors and affects intraglandular lymph nodes. Whereas, invasion via hematogenous spread, which is very rarely seen, originates from infraclavicular primary neoplasms such as carcinomas of the chest, kidneys and lung and affects parotid gland parenchyma (9).

Metastasis from the nasopharynx to both parotid glands is extremely rare. A few cases have been reported in the literature (10-14). If a malignant lymphoepithelial lesion is identified on FNAB of the parotid gland, it is a prerequisite to determine whether it is a primary or a metastatic one. It should be kept in mind that the primary origin of a metastatic malignant lymphoepithelial lesion located in the parotid gland could be the nasopharynx. Since the primary lesion in the nasopharynx could be submucosal, a single endoscopic examination is not enough for identifying the primary tumor. A contrast-enhanced MRI should be taken to verify the existence of a submucosal lesion (14,15).

Once it is definitely confirmed with the histopathological analysis of the biopsy material that the primary lesion is originated from the nasopharynx, the treatment of choice should certainly be treating the primary lesion. Unless the primary lesion is taken under treatment, there is no possibility that the metastasis can be cured (13). However, if the radiation therapy to the nasopharynx and neck fails to treat the parotid metastasis, it is essential to perform total parotidectomy and neck dissection.

Metastatic neoplasms should always be kept in mind and ruled out in case of parotid masses that rapidly develop and MRI should be requested to determine the origin of the primary tumor.