Background: Retrospective data on 165 patients who presented with a parotid mass and underwent surgeryin our clinics during 2000-2009 were examined. The obtained data (demographic data, surgical procedures,histopathological diagnoses) were compared to similar studies to make contributions to the literature. Materialsand Methods: Patients were classified according to their histopathological diagnosis. Surgical procedures andpatient follow-up were clarified. The results are presented as means and standard deviations. Results: Of the 165masses, 134 (81.3%) were benign and 31 (18.7%) were malignant. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most commonbenign tumour (79 patients, 59%). Lymphoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma were equally common and were themost common malignant parotid gland tumours (both 6 patients, 19.3%). The most frequent surgical procedurewas superficial parotidectomy (92 patients, 55.7%), and the most commonly encountered surgical complicationwas facial paralysis (12 patients, 7.2%). Conclusions: Our data are generally in line with the literature butlymphoma was more common than in most previous reports. Although the number of cases was low, the highincidence of parotid gland lymphoma was remarkable.
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