A Case of Primary Malignant Melanoma in Parotid Gland

Lee, Han Kook; Kim, Sun Gon; Lee, Kil Soo; Lee, Kang Dae

Abstract

Reports on primary malignant melanoma arising from parotid gland are extremely rare. We report a case of malignant melanoma which was presented in the parotid gland with no other primary lesions detectable. The main clinical presentation was a progressively enlarging, asymptomatic mass in the parotid gland. The 29-year-old patient underwent a total parotidectomy and right modified radical neck dissection type I. The patient was subsequently treated by postoperative high-dose radiotherapy. The most common symptom of primary malignant melanoma in the parotid gland is a progressively enlarging, asymptomatic, firm, and fixed mass. Radical excision is the treatment of choice. The role of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy remains unclear. Although rare, primary malignant melanoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of parotid gland tumor. We report the case with a review of the literature.