Salivary gland neoplasms as a late consequence of head and neck irradiation.
An increased occurrence of salivary tumors was observed in 1922 patients who received radiation to the tonsils and nasopharynx. Twenty-seven tumors, 19 benign and eight malignant, were found in this group as compared with an expected 0.2 malignant and less than 1 benign tumor. The latent period between the initial radiation treatment and diagnosis ranged from 7 to 32 years. After the first 15 years the incidence (77 cases/10(5) subjects/year) has remained constant and shows no indication of declining. Continued observation for salivary gland tumors is therefore indicated for subjects who received childhood irradiation.
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000528:radiation effects; D009333:Neck / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000528:radiation effects; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012306:Risk; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*