A clinicopathologic study of 1,047 cases of salivary gland tumors in Thailand.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the clinicopathologic data of salivary gland tumors in Bangkok, Thailand. Cases diagnosed with salivary gland tumors were retrieved from a dental school and a medical school in Bangkok, Thailand. Clinicopathologic data were recorded and analyzed with respect to gender, age, site, and histologic type. Of the 411,851 cases, 1,047 salivary gland tumors (0.2%) were found. The male to female ratio was 1:1.2. The age of patients ranged from 1 to 88 years with an average age of 47.1 years. 721 cases were benign tumors (68.8%) while 326 cases (31.2%) were malignant tumors. The parotid gland was the most common site (62.7%), followed by the submandibular gland (18.8%), and the intraoral minor salivary glands (18.0%). Among the intraoral minor salivary glands, palate was the most common site (49.2%). The most common benign and malignant tumors were pleomorphic adenoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Salivary gland tumors are rare. Compared with Western countries, the prevalence of polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) in Southeast Asia is low. Data from this study may be helpful for dentists in making differential diagnoses.