Malignant salivary gland tumors

Records of 60 patients with primary salivary gland tumors were retrospectively analyzed. Most were European Jews, 60% were males, and the average age was 57 years. The parotid gland was the most frequent site of origin (76%). The main presenting symptom was painless swelling. Pain or facial palsy were rare and associated with poor prognoses. The most common types were mucoepidermoid, adenocystic, adenocarcinoma and malignant, mixed carcinomas (in descending order of frequency). Squamous cell carcinoma was the most prevalent histologic type. Most patients presented at an advanced stage. Treatment was mainly surgical and postoperative radiotherapy was given to those with advanced disease. Most recurrences occurred within 3 years of initial treatment. Actuarial 10-year survival for all patients was 40%. Superior survival rates were achieved in women, probably due to less aggressive malignancies. Low grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma had a favorable prognosis, whereas anaplastic carcinoma had the worst. Other significant prognostic factors included stage and grade of disease.