AGGRESSIVE SURGERY IN TREATMENT FOR PAROTID CANCER: THE ROLE OF ADJUNCTIVE POSTOPERATIVE RADIOTHERAPY

Abstract

A 7 year follow-up of 120 patients with malignant parotid cancers revealed parotidectomy to be an adequate procedure for low-grade, nonaggressive lesions. The addition of radiation therapy postoperatively will improve local and regional control of high-grade, aggressive lesions. Postoperative radiation therapy may also make the removal of the facial nerve unnecessary in certain clinical presentations.