Parapharyngeal space tumors

considerations in 26 cases

Authors

  • Alfio José Tincani Universidade Estadual de Campinas
  • Antonio Santos Martins Universidade Estadual de Campinas
  • Albina Altemani Universidade Estadual de Campinas
  • Rui Carlos Scanavini Jr. Universidade Estadual de Campinas
  • Gilson Barreto Universidade Estadual de Campinas
  • Henriette de Toledo Lage Universidade Estadual de Campinas
  • João Batista Valério Universidade Estadual de Campinas
  • Giulianno Molina Universidade Estadual de Campinas

Keywords:

Parapharyngeal Space Tumors, Head and Neck Tumors, Parapharyngeal Neoplasms, Head and Neck Surgery

Abstract

CONTEXT: Parapharyngeal space tumors comprise less than 0.5% of all head and neck neoplasms.1 The majority of these tumors are benign, but surgery is usually required to establish the diagnosis and treat the patients. We present 26 patients treated surgically for tumors arising in the parapharyngeal space (PPS) at the State University of Campinas Hospital – UNICAMP. CASES SERIE: Of these, 17 (65.5%) had benign and 9 (34.6%) malignant neoplasms. The surgical and pathological data relevant to these cases are highlighted, observing any local recurrence, surgical complications and the five-year survival. Neurogenic tumors and soft tissue sarcomas were, respectively, the most frequent benign (35.3%) and malignant neoplasms (44.5%). Benign tumors accounted for the majority of the cases and involved minimal surgical morbidity with no recurrence during a median follow-up of five years. Malignant tumors had a high rate of recurrence and mortality. Surgery is the treatment of choice for PPS tumors. A knowledge of the anatomy of this site is essential for the safe performance of surgical procedures. Malignant neoplasms have a poor prognosis. Fine needle aspiration was helpful in diagnosis of all tumors.

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Author Biographies

Alfio José Tincani, Universidade Estadual de Campinas

Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Head and Neck Service, Department of Surgery, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Campinas, Brazil

Antonio Santos Martins, Universidade Estadual de Campinas

Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Head and Neck Service, Department of Surgery, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Campinas, Brazil

Albina Altemani, Universidade Estadual de Campinas

Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Head and Neck Service, Department of Surgery, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Campinas, Brazil

Rui Carlos Scanavini Jr., Universidade Estadual de Campinas

Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Head and Neck Service, Department of Surgery, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Campinas, Brazil

Gilson Barreto, Universidade Estadual de Campinas

Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Head and Neck Service, Department of Surgery, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Campinas, Brazil

Henriette de Toledo Lage, Universidade Estadual de Campinas

Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Head and Neck Service, Department of Surgery, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Campinas, Brazil

João Batista Valério, Universidade Estadual de Campinas

Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Head and Neck Service, Department of Surgery, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Campinas, Brazil

Giulianno Molina, Universidade Estadual de Campinas

Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Head and Neck Service, Department of Surgery, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Campinas, Brazil

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Published

1999-01-01

How to Cite

1.
Tincani AJ, Martins AS, Altemani A, Scanavini Jr. RC, Barreto G, Lage H de T, Valério JB, Molina G. Parapharyngeal space tumors: considerations in 26 cases. Sao Paulo Med J [Internet]. 1999 Jan. 1 [cited 2025 Mar. 15];117(1):34-7. Available from: https://periodicosapm.emnuvens.com.br/spmj/article/view/2424

Issue

Vol. 117 No. 1 (1999)

Section

Case Report

License

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