Intraparotid Lymph Node Metastasis Decreases Survival in Pediatric Patients With Parotid Cancer.

Objective: The occurrence of parotid cancer in pediatric patients is uncommon, and the significance of intraparotid lymph node (IPN) metastasis in the pediatric population remains unknown. Therefore, the main goal of the present study was to analyze the effect of IPN metastasis on survival in pediatric patients with parotid cancer.

Methods: Pediatric patients with parotid cancer were retrospectively enrolled from multiple medical centers. The association between IPN metastasis and clinicopathologic variables was analyzed using χ2 tests. The main study endpoint was recurrence-free survival (RFS), which was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Independent prognostic factors were evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards method.

Results: IPN metastasis was noted in 15 of 77 patients (19.5%). A positive relationship was noted between IPN metastasis and tumor stage, lymphoma history, and disease grade. The 10-year RFS was 91%. Univariate analysis revealed that IPN metastasis, disease grade, resection extent, tumor stage, and lymphoma history were associated with RFS. Cox regression analysis revealed that IPN metastasis (odds ratio [OR], 2.805; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.697 to 5.119; P = .004) and lymphoma history (OR, 1.742; 95% CI, 1.027 to 3.687; P = .014) were the only 2 independent predictors of recurrence.

Conclusions: IPN metastasis significantly decreased survival in patients with pediatric parotid cancer.