Is the only treatment for a benign parotid mass, surgery? doc says it must be removed or it could turn cancerous, but wanted second option.

Surgery : Although, it can turn into cancer over time, the bigger problem is this: if you wait to take it out, it will get bigger. The bigger it gets, the more difficult it will be to remove and will likely leave a bigger deformity when removed. If you were 50 years older, you could prob leave it alone. But i would recommend removal ( although rarely is it done urgently).

Biopsy: Although the mass is almost never bad, the possibility is that it may be malignant exists.I'd recommend the surgery so you know.

No: But if want to know what the mass is:need surgery.

Nothing?: Parotid gland masses that are benign may have cellular change with age. If your ENT recommends removal, then give it real consideration. Just remember, that major facial cranial nerves run through and come out of the gland. Removal can have significant risks of facial nerve resection, be careful, consider wisely and good luck. A parotid that over time stops saliva production, just may atrophy.

Parotid tumor: The most common parotid tumor is a pleomorphic adenoma, aka mixed tumor. These can degenerate into a malignant tumor called "carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma". Parotid tumors don't go away. They usually get bigger and do have the possibility of cancerous change, if you are healthy the recommendation is to remove it through an operation called "parotidectomy". Your surgeon will review it with you.