Parotid lymph node metastasis in a patient with tongue cancer

Parotid lymph node (LN) metastasis occurs most commonly from cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) of the head and neck, but rarely from oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Here, we present a rare case of metastasis to the parotid LN in a patient with tongue cancer. Although usual extent of modified radical neck dissection that includes resection of the tail of the parotid gland is below the line of the mandibular angle and the mastoid process was performed, the parotid LN metastasis occurred. The patient was treated with partial parotidectomy and chemoradiotherapy. One year and two months later, there was no evidence of local recurrence, although multiple lung metastases were observed. We also review the literature on parotid LN metastasis from OSCC.