Parotid gland metastases from malignant tumors are extremely rare. A 61-year-old woman was diagnosed with an early breast
cancer with no expression of oestrogen and progesterone receptors. Five years later the patient presented a tumour in parotid
gland. After total parotidectomy, microscopic analysis of the gland demonstrated an invasive duct carcinoma (IDC) with positive
expression of oestrogen receptor. The patient was treated with chemotherapy followed by complementary local radiotherapy.
Diagnosis of a metastasic tumour in parotid gland poses a challenge. In our case an immunohistochemical study of oestrogen
receptor was fundamental to establish a diagnosis.
Key words Parotid gland metastasis - Breast cancer - Oestrogen receptor