[Distant metastases to the parotid gland--review of the literature and report of own two cases].

Metastatic tumors to the parotid gland are very uncommon and it accounts for 8% of all cancers of parotid gland. The parotid gland and its lymph nodes are possible sites of metastases from head and neck cancers. However, metastasis from distant primary neoplasm below clavicle is possible, too. The authors presented the two cases of distant metastases to the parotid gland. The women with breast cancer and metastases to the parotid gland 11 years after surgery, radio- and chemotherapy of breast cancer. She died 7 months after parotid surgery of systemically advanced disease. The man with metastasis of malignant melanoma of unknown primary site. He underwent total parotid surgery with the tumor and lymph nodes. He died 7 months after surgery. In spite of intensive exam the primary location of the melanoma was unknown. The authors described pathophysiology of distant metastases to the parotid gland with special attention to possibilities of treatment and survival.