Background and Objectives: Minor salivary gland tumors vary in their primary sites, histopathology and biological behavior. Therefore, various factors are considered in selecting the treatment modality and predicting the prognosis.
Generally, it
is reported that the prognosis of malignant tumors of minor salivary glands are worse than that of such lesions of major salivary glands. We performed this study to find out the clinical features and determine the prognostic factors of minor
salivary
gland tumors. Materials and Methods: We analyzed retrospectively, 83 cases of minor salivary gland tumor and the 10 year survival rates using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: We found 16 benign tumors and 67 malignant tumors. Among
the
patients, 43 were males and 40 were females. The most common age group was the sixties, with the mean age of 50. The most common site of benign tumor was the palate, whereas malignant tumors were most commonly found in the maxillary sinus,
palate,
and
floor of mouth, etc. Histopathologically, 14 patients with benign tumor had pleomorphic adenoma, and 39 patients with malignant tumor had adenoid cystic carcinoma. According to the criteria set by the AJCC on staging, the most common stage found
for
the subjects were the stage Ⅳ. Overall, the 5 year and 10 year survival rates were 56.1% and 46.9%, respectively. Histopathologic type had no effect on 10 year survival rates. The clinical stage had a significant impact on survival.
Conclusion:
In minor salivary gland tumor, the most significant prognostic factor was its clinical stage. Considering the frequent local recurrence and distant metastasis, long term follow ups will be needed.
|