Rajasekaran K, et al. - The aim of this trial was to describe the demographics, tumor characteristics, and prognostic features of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland. The findings suggested that mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland was the most common parotid gland malignancy. Nonetheless, it still remained a rare tumor due to the lack of large population-based studies. Significant predictors of decreased survival were the advanced stage and high-grade tumors. In comparison to the males, females demonstrated improved survival.

Methods

• A retrospective study of the National Cancer Database was conducted and reviewed for all mucoepidermoid carcinomas of the parotid gland between 2004 and 2012.
• They abstracted and analyzed the patient demographics and tumor characteristics.
• In order to identify predictors of survival univariate and multivariate Cox multivariate regression models were used.

Results

• As per the data, a total of 4,431 patients met inclusion criteria.
• At the time of diagnosis, the average age was 57 years (median, 62; SD, 19), with no overall sex preference (52% female), and the majority were white (78%).
• The 1-year overall survival was 92.9% (95% CI [92.1-93.6]) and the 5-year overall survival was 75.2% (95% CI [73.8-76.7%]).
• At 5 years, the median overall survival was not reached.
• Increasing age, co-morbidities, high tumor grade, advanced pathologic group stage, and positive surgical margins were the factors related to the decreased survival.
• Data suggested that female gender was the only factor related to the improved survival.
• Similar results were yielded by controlling for either histopathologic grade or pathologic stage to determine how patient demographics and tumor characteristics affected overall survival.
• Despite having no independent association with worse survival, intermediate grade tumors when seen in conjunction with tumors ≥T2 and/or ≥N2, a negative impact on overall survival was seen.