title: Primary tumors of the submandibular glands: a retrospective study based on 41 cases.
abstract: We report our experience on the diagnostic approach, treatment, and follow-up of primary submandibular gland tumors. Retrospective review. Tertiary referral center. Forty-one adult patients, 22 male and 19 female, with primary submandibular gland tumors, 20 benign and 21 malignant. Age, gender, clinical findings, cyto- and histopathology, treatment and outcome were analyzed. Most tumors presented as a painless submandibular mass. Thirty three patients underwent a fine needle aspiration, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of which--in detecting malignant tumors--were 79%, 100% and 88%, respectively. Preoperative radiological imaging was performed in 30 cases. Patients with benign tumors were treated with surgery. Most malignant tumors were treated with a combined modality, including neck dissection and radiation therapy. Five patients developed a postoperative complication. Recurrent disease was encountered in 5 malignant tumors. The 2, 5 and 10 year disease-specific survival of patients with malignancy were 84%, 75% and 41%, respectively. The preoperative assessment of the nature of submandibular gland tumors remains challenging. Aggressive treatment of patients with malignant disease may help to avoid poor prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland. panagiotis.ziglinas@insel.ch
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ziglinas
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Marlene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zbären
mesh_terms: D018249:Adenoma, Oxyphilic / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D000368:Aged; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003537:Cystadenoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009208:Myoepithelioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013365:Submandibular Gland Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome