Primary parapharyngeal space tumors in a Mexican cancer center.

Objective: To describe clinical and demographic characteristics of the parapharyngeal space tumors and assess surgical approaches used to treat them at our institution.

Methods: A retrospective and descriptive study of the parapharyngeal space tumors, excluding paragangliomas, treated from June 1991 to October 2002 in a cancer center. The study population included 21 patients, 8 men and 13 women, average age of 41 years (range, 20 to 70 years).