The importance of clinical examination in determining the benignity or malignancy of parotid tumors

Abstract

Parotid tumors are a common disease in the population not only as a primary disease but also in association with other diseases. There are a number of clinical signs and symptoms that may direct the examiner to a potential diagnosis of a benign or malignant tumor. The study is retrospective and consists in analysing the cases of parotid tumors treated during a year in the Maxillofacial Department. Clinical signs and symptoms that may indicate the malignancy or benign nature of the tumor were analysed and compared with the histopathological result obtained after surgical removal of the tumor. The aim is to determine the degree of correlation between the clinical signs and the type of tumor. Although the final diagnosis is determined by histopathological examination, clinical examination of any tumor is essential because it may lead to certain investigations and to the establishment of a specific treatment plan.