Tumors of the salivary glands in childhood and adolescence.
OBJECTIVE
We report on 52 juvenile and adolescent patients with benign and malignant tumors of the salivary glands. Controlled follow-up was carried out to examine outcome and side effects of therapy.


METHODS
The clinical files of 52 patients were evaluated by computer-based methods. Follow-up was comprised of the findings of our clinic as well as those of the primarily consulted physicians and, if possible, up-to-date examinations in our clinic.


RESULTS
Benign tumors had their highest incidence in puberty and postpuberty. Forty patients (20 girls and 20 boys; 77%) had benign growths and 12 patients (9 girls and 3 boys; 23%) suffered from malignant neoplasms. After surgery for benign tumors we saw no postoperative recurrences in long-term follow-up. In the group of malignant tumors, 8 patients (66.7%) survived their disease in the long-term follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Salivary gland diseases are rare in childhood and adolescence. Their pattern of incidence differs very much from that of adults. This is particularly true for the malignant parotid tumors that are more frequent in juvenile patients, a fact that has to be considered in diagnosis and therapy.
Ellies
Maik
M
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. mellies@med.uni-goettingen.de
Schaffranietz
Frank
F
Arglebe
Christian
C
Laskawi
Rainer
R
D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013365:Submandibular Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome