Periparotid lymph node metastases is uncommon. The skin of the head and neck is the most common site of the primary tumor, which is usually a squamous cell carcinoma or a melanoma. It represents approximately 1 to 2% of squamous cell carcinomas
of
the
skin of the head and neck.
Skin cancer usually invades by lymphatic spread. The parotid area receives the lymphatic drainage from the facial skin and anterior scalp. Patients who have primary cancers in the skin of the ipsilateral eyelid, frontal, temporal, posterior
cheek,
and
anterior ear regions are in the high risk group for parotid metastases. In most cases, lymph node metastases to the parotid area appear within a year after treament of the primary skin cancer.
Recently the authors experienced a very rare case of periparotid lymph node metastases from squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp skin in a 45 year old woman. The patient received superficial parotidectomy and postoperative radiothearpy, and there
was no
evidence of recurrence during the follow up period. (Korean J Otolaryngol 38:10, 1995)
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