Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the major salivary glands.
BACKGROUND
The clinical course of primary salivary gland lymphomas has received little attention.


METHODS
We retrospectively assessed 20 patients with previously untreated non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) and histologically confirmed as having parenchymal involvement of the salivary glands. The clinical presentation, therapy, and outcomes were compared between the 12 patients with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas and the 8 patients with other NHLs.


RESULTS
At diagnosis, the 12 patients with MALT lymphoma had a greater mean age and longer duration than did the 8 patients with other NHLs (P < 0.05). Eight of the 12 MALT lymphoma patients had recurrent episodes of salivary gland swelling and 5 had myoepithelial sialadenitis, Sjögren syndrome, or gastric MALT lymphoma; these were not observed in the 8 other NHL patients. Compared with the latter group, the MALT lymphoma group had significantly greater five-year relapse-free (37.5% vs. 91.7%, P < 0.05) and disease-free (35.0% vs. 90.9%, P < 0.05) survival rates. However, two MALT lymphoma patients with high-grade transformation had recurrences beyond the head and neck region.


CONCLUSIONS
Understanding the distinct clinical presentation and course of primary salivary gland lymphomas may help guide the proper diagnosis and management of patients with these tumors.
Roh
Jong-Lyel
JL
Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. rohjl@amc.seoul.kr
Huh
Jooryung
J
Suh
Cheolwon
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018442:Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*