OBJECTIVESThe purpose of this study was to review the clinico‐pathologic findings and outcome of patients with metastasis to the parotid lymph nodes and gland.METHODSRetrospective study. Thirty‐four out of 520 patients with a parotid mass treated at our institution met the criteria for this study. Age, gender, clinical findings, histopathology, treatment. and outcome were analyzed.RESULTSTwenty‐three patients had metastases to parotid lymph nodes from a squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, seven from a cutaneous malignant melanoma after a mean interval of 15 months, two from a ductal breast carcinoma, one with a metastatic disease from a rhabdomyosarcoma of the lower limb, and one from a Merkel cell carcinoma. The 5‐year cause‐specific and absolute survival for squamous cell carcinoma was 64% and 48% respectively and 71% and 57% for malignant melanomas.CONCLUSIONSMetastatic disease to the parotid gland is mostly caused by squamous cell carcinoma. Despite combined treatment modalities long‐term survival remains poor.