Pathology consultation. Parotid gland and its lymph nodes as metastatic sites.

The parotid gland and its lymph nodes can serve as metastatic sites from regional and distant primary neoplasms. In the head and neck, the regions and neoplasms at risk for such metastases are melanomas and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin of the eyelids, frontal, temporal, posterior cheek and anterior ear regions. The mucous membranes of the upper aerodigestive tract may also be a site for a primary demonstrating parotid area metastases.