Objectives. We analyzed the outcomes following clinical management of parotid masses that were determined to be malig- nant tumors after parotidectomy. Methods. We evaluated data from 70 patients with parotid malignancies between November 1994 and December 2005. Results. Among salivary histotypes (n=49), the most significant prognostic parameter was cT4 stage at diagnosis (P=0.0055, log-rank) both for clinical involvement of the facial nerve and for invasion of other structures. The main cause of cancer-related death was a distant metastasis. Conclusion. The present series confirms that the main prognostic parameter in salivary parotid malignancies was cT4 clas- sification at diagnosis, often due to clinical involvement of the facial nerve. The oncological outcome of salivary ma- lignancies was influenced by distant metastasis more than most other head and neck sites. We recommend dissecting and preserving the functioning VIIth cranial nerve during surgery for parotid malignancies.