Acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland: a 15-year review limited to a single surgeon at a single institution.

The course of acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland following surgical and nonsurgical interventions is variable. The objective of this study was to report our experience in treating this disease and to evaluate the factors that might be involved in the treatment of the tumor and the prognosis of the patient. To limit the contributory variables that are usually found in most studies, we included only those patients (n = 11) who had been treated by a single surgeon at a single institution from 1988 through 2003. Hospital and office records were evaluated for demographic information, signs and symptoms, treatment modalities, pathology, and outcomes. Additional follow-up data were obtained through telephone interviews. For the most part, treatment included either superficial parotidectomy or total parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation; 1 patient with coexisting adenocarcinoma underwent a more radical procedure, and 4 patients underwent adjuvant radiation therapy. The most prevalent morphologic pattern of these tumors was microcystic. Follow-up ranged from 1 year and 3 months to 10 years and 9 months (mean: 4 yr and 11 mo). During that time, we found no recurrences of acinic cell carcinoma and no evidence of metastatic disease. Therefore, we conclude that acinic cell carcinoma can be successfully treated with a superficial or total parotidectomy with sparing of the facial nerve. Radiation therapy may provide adjunctive benefit.