Minor salivary gland neoplasms.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the clinical presentation, histopathologic and epidemiological aspects, as well as the treatment modalities and outcomes of patients with minor salivary gland tumors (MSGTs).


METHODS
A series of 23 patients with MSGTs were reviewed retrospectively.


RESULTS
This study included 11 (48%) benign and 12 (52%) malignant tumors of minor salivary glands. Minor salivary gland tumors were more common in men (70%) than in women (30%). The mean age was 31.3 years for benign tumors and 46.3 years for malignant tumors. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common benign tumor, followed by myoepithelioma. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma were the most common malignant tumors. The most common symptom was a painless mass of the palate. Surgical treatment was performed in all patients. Adjuvant radiotherapy was used in 3 malignant tumors. Twenty-three patients were followed-up for a median of 5 years. Two patients with malignant tumors underwent a second surgery for postoperative local recurrence. They were successfully treated with the second surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Minor salivary gland tumors are relatively uncommon neoplasms of the head and neck region. There is limited literature on MSGTs. This study provides a versatile approach for MSGTs from demographic data and clinical presentations to treatment modalities and treatment outcomes.
From the Departments of *Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, and †Pathology, Gulhane Military Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
Abdullah
A
Dalgic
Omer
O
Karakoc
Umit
U
Aydin
Yusuf
Y
Hidir
Mehmet
M
Gamsizkan
Serdar
S
Karahatay
Mustafa
M
Gerek
D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000453:epidemiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000453:epidemiology; D018277:Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / Q000453:epidemiology; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D010157:Palatal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000473:pathology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult