Author reviewed 157 patients of salivary gland tumors at Yonsei Medical Center during the period from January 1, 1965 to June 30, 1982. They were categorized into benign and malignant tumors and their clinical differences, methods of treatment and results of the treatment were analyzed.
The following results were obtained:
1) The originating place of the tumors in order were parotid gland with 118 patients(75%), submaxillary gland with 33 patients(21%) and 6 patients(40%) from sublingual gland and minor salivary gland. The incidence of malignant tumors for each gland were parotid gland 36%, submaxillary gland 24% and sublingual gland and minor salivary gland 33%.
2) The average age for the 105 patients with benign tumor were 33 and for 52 patients with malignant tumor were 51 years of age. The occurrence of the tumor were higher in female than in male, the ratio was 1.45 : 1.
3) Aside from slight higher incidence in male of malignant tumors, there was no differences in duration or size of the tumors.
4) Pleomorphic adenoma of bengin tumors were 91% and mucoepidermoid carcinoma, acinic cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of malignant tumors were 58%.
5) The overall average of lymph node metastasis rate for the malignant tumors were 23% and histologically, the higher the grade of malignancy, the higher the metastasis rate.
6) Postoperative complications for benign tumors were 11% and 29% for the malignant tumors, and main complications were facial nerve palsy, Frey syndrome and salivary fistula.
7) The recurrence rate after treatment was 15% for benign tumors and 29% for malignant tumors and when palliative surgery were performed on both benign and malignant tumors, the recurrence rate was higher.
8) The overall 5 year survival rate for the malignant tumors were 66%. However, for the low grade malignancy were 74% and for the high grade malignancy were 48%.
With above results, the main method of treatment for the salivary gland tumors are complete resection.
In case of malignant tumors, with histologic features from frozen biopsy during the surgery
and with degree of metastasis, the operative field should be determined. Also, with combined treatment of postoperative radiotherapy, we believe the results of treatment will be even more satisfactory.
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