Parotid gland metastasis from carcinoma of the breast detected by PET/CT: Case report and review

RATIONALE: The parotid gland is an unusual site for metastatic disease from breast cancer, and it usually has a poor prognosis. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 36-year-old woman presented to our department with a swelling in her left parotid gland. The patient did not receive any other treatment after breast conserving surgery. DIAGNOSES: Multifocal metastases in the bones, lymph nodes, left parotid and contralateral mammary gland were proved by PET/CT. INTERVENTIONS: Eight cycles of first-line rescue chemotherapy, combining with zoledronic acid in treatment of bone metastasis, followed by the combination of endocrine therapy and ovarian function suppression after chemotherapy. OUTCOMES: The patient obtained clinical complete response in the metastasis tumor of parotid gland, lymph nodes, and bones. LESSONS: It is necessary for patient to receive comprehensive treatment after receiving surgery. Through this case, we present the appropriate management of advanced breast cancer accompanying with the parotid gland metastasis. PET/CT is a useful method to diagnose and evaluate the metastasis lesions.