Clinicopathologic analysis of 493 cases of salivary gland tumors in a Southern Brazilian population

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the distribution and demographic features of salivary gland tumors (SGTs) in a large Brazilian population. A total of 493 cases of SGTs diagnosed between 2001 and 2011 from a general pathology laboratory and an oral pathology service were reviewed with respect to their clinicopathologic features. A total of 369 tumors were benign and 124 were malignant. The mean age of patients with benign tumors was 46.3 years and that of patients with malignancies was 54.0 years. The parotid gland was the most common location (42.3%). Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and Warthin's tumor were the most common benign neoplasias, whereas mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) and adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified, were the most frequent malignancies. The present data confirm that PA and MEC are the most common benign and malignant SGTs. However, it is important to consider that differences in tumor types may be influenced by whether a tumor derives from a medical or a dental service.