title: Intraoral minor salivary gland tumours: a retrospective study from a dental and maxillofacial surgery centre in salem, Tamil Nadu.
abstract: Minor salivary gland tumors (MSGTs) constitute a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with variation in histopathology. These are rare neoplasms usually occurring in the palate. Dental examination may provide an opportunity for early detection.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was undertaken to do an epidemiological survey of minor salivary gland tumours reporting to a single dental and maxillofacial surgery centre and to determine the correlation of the histopathologic characteristics with the clinical features.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective survey of the histopathological findings of 1,020 consecutive biopsy reports in a single dental and maxillofacial surgery centre was done to identify cases of MSGT. The results were tabulated based on various criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In our study, only 8 tumors were benign (26.67 %), and 22 tumors were malignant (73.33 %). Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) was the most common tumor (15 of 30). Pleomorphic adenoma was most common benign MSGT in our series (7 of 30). This was followed by adenoid cystic carcinoma (6 of 30). Palate was the most common site (13 of 30) followed by buccal mucosa (5 of 30) and lip (4 of 30).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unlike many previous studies, malignant salivary gland tumours were predominant. MEC was the most common malignant tumour in our study similar to many other studies. The palate was the most common site for minor salivary gland neoplasms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, VMSDC, NH-47 Sankari Main Road, Ariyanoor, Salem, 636308 Tamil Nadu India.
authors.forename: Maya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramesh
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, VMSDC, Salem, Tamil Nadu India.
authors.forename: Ramesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krishnan
authors.affiliation: Dental Poly Clinic and Maxillofacial Centre, Salem, Tamil Nadu India.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paul
keywords: Benign tumour; Malignant tumour; Minor salivary gland tumours