Parotid Gland: An Unusual Site for Breast Cancer Metastasis: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Background: Breast cancer, which is the most common site-specific cancer inwomen, usually metastasizes to lung, liver, bone, and brain, although other sites canbe involved less frequently. Parotid gland invasion by breast cancer, first reported in۱۹۵۰, is extremely rare with very few reports worldwide. Case presentation: A ۵۴-year-old woman with stage IIIA breast cancerpresented with a right parotid mass and signs of facial nerve palsy ۳ months aftertreatment completion, which was finally diagnosed as metastatic involvement ofparotid gland. Conclusion: Breast cancer metastasis to parotid gland is extremely rare but canhappen metachronously or synchronously even years after the primary disease.Therefore, this diagnosis should be kept in mind in any patient with a history ofbreast cancer presenting with a periauricular mass. Despite proposed treatments,including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, patients have a poor prognosis witha reported ۵-year survival rate of ۱۰%. However, palliative management should berecommended to all patients with parotid metastasis.

Keywords:

breast cancer , parotid gland , metastasis