Salivary gland tumours: a hospital-based study on demographic and incidence pattern, histopathological types and treatment strategy

Abstract

Background: Salivary gland tumours constitute 3-4% of all head and neck cancers (mostly benign). These tumours are epithelial (95%) or mesenchymal in origin. Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign salivary gland tumour and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (45%) is the most common malignant salivary gland tumour followed by adenoid cystic carcinoma (30%). The parotid, submandibular and the minor salivary glands of palate are commonly involved and the sublingual gland is rarely affected.

Methods: Hospital based cross sectional study was done in a tertiary care centre during a period of 1 year, which included 21 patients (10 men and 11 women). Patients were analysed according to age, gender, food habits, histopathological type and site of the tumour and treatment strategy.

Results: All the cases were from upper Assam province sharing a particular demographic pattern between 19-65 years. Peak incidence in males was fourth decade and females was third decade. Male female ratio was 0.9:1. Out of 21 cases, 14 were parotid gland tumours, 6 submandibular gland tumours and 1 minor salivary gland tumour. Most of the tumours were benign (16) and 5 were malignant.

Conclusions: Two patients were of age 19 years which is conflicting the normal national incidence. All cases belonged to lower economic strata with decreased intake of beta carotene enriched food items. The most common site is parotid gland and most common tumour is pleomorphic adenoma which is in accordance to other studies. Benign cases were subjected to superficial parotidectomy and malignant cases to total parotidectomy with neck dissection.