A Clinical Study on Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors

ABSTRACT

The authors analyzed retrospectively the 36 patients with malignant salivary gland tumors who were treated at Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pusan National University Hospital from February, 1989 to September, 1997. The results obtained were as follows 1. There were 14 males( 38.9%) and 22 females(61.1%). The peak age of patients with major salivary gland tumors was the 6th decade, but with minor salivary gland was the 5th decade. 2. Of all salivary gland tumors, 5 cases arose in the parotid glands, 2 cases in the submanibular glands, 1 case in the sublingual gland and 28 cases in the minor salivary glands. 3. The incidence according to the anatomic primary site for minor salivary glands was 15 cases in the palate, 5 in the floor of mouth and 2 cases each arising in the tongue, lip, retromolar area and buccal mucosa. 4. Of all salivary gland tumors, adenoid cystic carcinoma was 5 cases in the major salivary glands and 8 in the minor salivary glands. mucoepidermoid carcinoma was 2 cases in the major salivary glands and 14 in the minor salivary glands and others were 2 cases of adenocarcinoma, 4 malignant mixed tumors and 1 undifferentiated carcinoma. 5. The incidence of cervical lymph node metastasis was 100%(2/2) in the submandibular glands, 80%(4/5) in the floor of mouth, 50%(1/2) in the tongue and 20%(1/5) in the parotid glands. The highest incidence of lymph node metastasis according to histopathological classfication was found in the high grade of mucoepidermoid carcinoma and tubular type of adenoid cystic carcinoma. 6. Nerve invasion was common in the adenoid cystic carcinoma. 7. The lung was the commonest site for distant metastasis comprising 7 cases among 7 cases in which distant spread occurred.