Oncocytoma of Parotid Gland: A Case Report with a Review of the Literature

Abstract

Oncocytoma is a rare benign tumor of salivary gland origin, most often seen in the parotid gland. Oncocytoma is characterized by presence of large epithelial cell (oncocytes) with eosinophilic, finely granular cytoplasm and a rounded, centrally placed nucleus. They are most often encountered after the 6th decade of life. The clinical presentation of oncocytomas is essentially identical to other benign salivary gland tumors-a slow growing, nontender mass. They are firm, may be multilobulated and mobile on examination. Oncocytic neoplasms should be considered as a possible diagnosis in patients with parotid enlargement. This article describes a case of oncocytoma of parotid gland which was present in the 4th decade of life, with a brief review of the relevant literature. Due to the lack of large series, assiduous study of the cases reported in the literature may lead to better understanding of this rare disease.