Oncocytoma (Oxyphil Cell Adenoma) of the Parotid Gland: Report of a Case

Abstract

Description of an oncocytoma of the parotid gland of a 49-year-old Negro woman. Oncocytomas are benign, rare tumors of the parotid gland that occur in the older age group and clinically resemble a benign mixed tumor. The treatment of choice is surgical excision. Oncocytes are large rounded cells with acidophilic finely granular cytoplasm, the nuclei are occasionally vesicular. Several sections should be made because oncocytes may occur in association with malignant tumors of the salivary glands. The oncocytoma described in this paper had small foci that histologically resembled mixed tumors of the parotid gland. As previously suggested by Foote, such findings indicate that oncocytes may sometimes have the ability to differentiate into mixed tumors.