Primary T-cell lymphoma of the parotid gland

Primary malignant lymphomas of parotid gland are very rare. Most are B-cell lymphomas, and T-cell lymphomas are very rare. Unfortunately, fine needle aspiration biopsy is non-diagnostic. We, herein, present a case of a 51-year male, who presented with a large mass in the left parotid gland that had rapidly grown over a few months. As fine needle aspiration biopsy was non-diagnostic, we decided to take an incisional biopsy to disclose the pathology. The lesion was diagnosed as T-cell lymphoma after immunohistochemical examination of the specimens. Following 2-[18F] fluoro-2- deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT), the disease was staged as 'Stage I'. The patient received six sessions of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone protocol as chemotherapy management. After the completion of chemotherapy, complete remission was achieved. In suspected cases, an incisional open parotid core biopsy should be considered for a definite diagnosis. As the treatment of lymphomas is not surgical, this approach avoids a parotidectomy, which in turn, avoids facial nerve complications. (author)