Efficacy of combined surgery and I seed brachytherapy for treatment of primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland.

Background: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness and safety of surgery combined with postoperative I seed brachytherapy for treatment of primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the parotid gland.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of data of patients with MEC (n = 108) treated with surgery plus postoperative I seed brachytherapy between 2004 and 2016. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local control rate (LCR), distant metastasis, and radiation-associated toxicities were analyzed, and factors affecting outcomes were evaluated.

Results: The 5- and 10-year OS were 98.8% and 95.8%, respectively. The DFS and LCR at 5 and 10 years were all 91.4%. Age ≥ 60 years (hazard ratio [HR] = 6.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.54-30.55) and T4 disease (HR = 7.15, 95% CI: 1.40-36.52) were poor prognostic factors. Acute radiation-associated toxicities were minor.

Conclusion: Surgery plus I seed brachytherapy appears to be an effective treatment for parotid gland MEC, capable of providing satisfactory outcomes with few complications.