Salivary gland carcinomas in children: a review of 15 cases.
Salivary gland carcinomas are rare in childhood. We have reviewed the case records of 15 children aged 3-14 years (median 11) identified from children's tumour registries. Primary sites were parotid: 11, submandibular: 3, and base of tongue: 1. The range of histologies was similar to that occurring in adults. Six were treated by complete excision, with one given post-operative radiotherapy (RT). All six remain disease-free at 2 months to 21 years after completion of treatment. Five were treated by partial or sub-total excision. Four were given post-operative RT, of whom 3 are disease-free at 3 years, 6 months--18 years and 1 lost to follow-up (LTFA). One not given RT developed a local recurrence at 11 months and was given RT and LTFA. Four patients had a biopsy only. Three were treated by RT. One is disease-free at 8 years, one died of metastatic disease at 6 months, and one developed a local recurrence at 11 years and has remained disease-free following salvage surgery. One patient with advanced disease not suitable for RT died 3 months after diagnosis. Complete excision is the treatment of choice. Following sub-total or incomplete excision post-operative RT can prevent recurrence. Careful RT planning is necessary to minimise late effects.
Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Cookridge Hospital, Leeds, England.
R E
RE
Taylor
H R
HR
Gattamaneni
D
D
Spooner
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome