BACKGROUND: The aim was to identify prognostic factors and test three prognostic scoring models that predicted the risk of recurrence in patients with parotid gland carcinoma.

METHODS: All Danish patients with parotid gland carcinoma, treated with curative intent, from 1990 to 2015 (n = 726) were included. Potential prognostic factors were evaluated using Cox regression and competing risk analyses. The concordance of each prognostic model was estimated using Harrel's C index.

RESULTS: The study population consisted of 344 men and 382 women, with a median age of 63 years. Age above 60 years, high grade histology, T3/T4 tumor, regional lymph node metastases, and involved surgical margins were all associated with a significant reduction in recurrence-free survival. The prognostic model that agreed best with actual outcomes had a C-index of 0.76.

CONCLUSION: Prognostic scoring models may improve individualized follow-up strategies after curatively intended treatment for patients with parotid gland carcinoma.