Extraosseous osteogenic sarcoma of the parotid gland.

The first reported case of an extraosseous osteogenic carcinoma of the parotid gland is presented. The head and neck region is an unusual site for these unusual neoplasms, with approximately 5 per cent of all extraosseous osteogenic sarcomas originating in the soft tissues of the face and neck. The neoplasms may arise after a latent period following radiation therapy. The majority, however, arise de novo. As a group, extraosseous osteogenic sarcomas are very aggressive and lethal neoplasms with an average 5-year survival of 15.6 per cent (Rao et al., 1978).