title: Characteristics of salivary gland tumours in the United Arab Emirates.
abstract: Salivary gland tumours (SGT) are relatively rare cancers characterised by striking morphological diversity and wide variation in the global distribution of SGT incidence. Given the proximity to the head and neck structures, management of SGT has been clinically difficult. To the best of our knowledge, there are no epidemiological studies on SGT from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC). Patient charts (N = 314) and associated pathological records were systematically reviewed between the years 1998-2014. Predominance of benign (74%) compared with malignant (26%) SGT was observed. Among the 83 malignant SGT identified, frequency was higher in males (61%) than in females (39%) and peak occurrence was in the fifth decade of life. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most common type of tumour (35%) followed by adenoid cystic carcinoma (18.1%) and acinar cell carcinoma (10.8%). A similar pattern of tumour distribution was seen in patients from GCC, Asian, and Middle East countries. This is the first report to address the distribution of salivary gland tumours in a multiethnic, multicultural population of the Gulf. The results suggest that the development of an SGT registry will help clinicians and researchers to better understand, manage, and treat this rare disease.
authors.affiliation: Ajman University of Science and Technology, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Post Box 346, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Yasir
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Al Sarraj
authors.affiliation: Tawam Hospital- Johns Hopkins Medicine International Affiliate, Department of Academic Affairs-Medical Research, Post Box 15258, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Satish Chandrasekhar
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.affiliation: Mawi Medical Centre, Post Box 55510, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Ammar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al Siraj
authors.affiliation: Ajman University of Science and Technology, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Post Box 346, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Maher
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: AlShayeb
keywords: Gulf; UAE; neoplasm; salivary gland tumour