Parotid gland metastasis from carcinoma of the breast detected by PET/CT: Case report and review

Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 May;97(21):e10616. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000010616.

Abstract

Rationale: The parotid gland is an unusual site for metastatic disease from breast cancer, and it usually has a poor prognosis.

Patient concerns: A 36-year-old woman presented to our department with a swelling in her left parotid gland. The patient did not receive any other treatment after breast conserving surgery.

Diagnoses: Multifocal metastases in the bones, lymph nodes, left parotid and contralateral mammary gland were proved by PET/CT.

Interventions: Eight cycles of first-line rescue chemotherapy, combining with zoledronic acid in treatment of bone metastasis, followed by the combination of endocrine therapy and ovarian function suppression after chemotherapy.

Outcomes: The patient obtained clinical complete response in the metastasis tumor of parotid gland, lymph nodes, and bones.

Lessons: It is necessary for patient to receive comprehensive treatment after receiving surgery. Through this case, we present the appropriate management of advanced breast cancer accompanying with the parotid gland metastasis. PET/CT is a useful method to diagnose and evaluate the metastasis lesions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods
  • Diphosphonates / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / therapeutic use
  • Mastectomy, Segmental / methods
  • Parotid Gland / pathology*
  • Parotid Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Parotid Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Parotid Neoplasms / therapy
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / methods
  • Zoledronic Acid

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Diphosphonates
  • Imidazoles
  • Zoledronic Acid