Salivary gland tumors in a Brazilian population: a retrospective study of 124 cases

ABSTRACT

Salivary gland tumors constitute a highly heterogeneous histopathologic group. There are few epidemiological studies of large series of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors in Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hospital records of 124 patients with salivary gland tumors diagnosed from January 1993 to December 1999 were reviewed. The patients were analyzed according to gender, age, size, location, and histopathology of the tumor. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Patients with benign and malignant tumors presented with a mean age of 47.7 and 48.8 years, respectively. The frequency of benign tumors was 80 percent (n = 99) and malignant tumors 20 percent (n = 25). Tumors were localized in the parotid gland 71 percent (n = 88), in the submandibular gland 24 percent (n = 30), and in the minor salivary glands 5 percent (n = 6). The most common benign tumors were pleomorphic adenoma in 84 percent (n = 84) and Warthin's tumor in 13 percent (n = 13). Among malignant tumors, mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most common in 52 percent (n = 13), adenoid cystic carcinoma occurred in 20 percent (n = 5), and carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma was detected in 12 percent (n = 3)