Minor salivary gland tumors of the oral cavity: a case series with review of literature.
BACKGROUND
Minor salivary gland tumors (MSGTs) are unusual, accounting for only 15-20% of all salivary gland tumors. The commonest site of MSGTs of the head and neck is oral cavity.


OBJECTIVE
To describe our experience with MSGTs of oral cavity seen over a period of one decade and elucidate their prognostic factors.


METHODS
Over a period of 10 years, from 1991 to 2000, all MSGTs of oral cavity were analyzed. All demographic, treatment and survival data were recorded. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to find the survival. Multivariate analysis was performed using Cox regression.


RESULTS
We treated 104 patients with curative intent. The commonest site was hard palate, accounting for 54.8% of all sites. The commonest histology was adenoid cystic carcinoma (45.2%). There were 17 (16.34%) pleomorphic adenoma cases, while the remaining 87 (83.66%) were minor salivary gland malignancies. Treatment was surgical in 91.3% of patients. Adjuvant radiotherapy was administered in 38.5% of patients. The median follow-up was 50 months. Recurrences were seen in 22 (25.3%) of the 87 malignant cases. Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, the expected 10-year overall and disease-free survivals were 75.2 and 65.8%, respectively. Survivals were better in non-adenoid cystic tumors (non-ACC). On multivariate analysis, T status, tumor grade and adjuvant therapy were independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival.


CONCLUSIONS
MSGTs of oral cavity have good overall survival despite recurrences. T stage, adjuvant radiotherapy and grade are independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival. Adenoid cystic tumors have worse outlook than non-ACC.
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India.
A D
AD
Vaidya
G H
GH
Pantvaidya
R
R
Metgudmath
S V
SV
Kane
A K
AK
D'Cruz
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult