Intraoral minor salivary gland tumors in a Chinese population: a retrospective study on 737 cases

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the diverse histopathological types and distribution characteristics of epithelial minor salivary gland tumors (MSGTs) in a Chinese population. We conducted a descriptive demographic study of 737 intraoral MSGTs in patients in southwest China from 1990 to 2004. A total of 737 epithelial MSGTs, consisting of 340 (46.1%) benign and 397 (53.9%) malignant tumors, were confirmed in 381 males and 356 females. The average age of patients with benign and malignant tumors was 40.7 and 49.4 years, respectively. The palate was the most commonly affected site (67.4%). Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) (81.8%) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) (36.0%) were the most frequent types in benign and malignant tumors, respectively. Comparing with reports from other countries, it is suggested that the MSGTs in this southwest Chinese population may be characterized by a higher incidence of MSGTs than in the other reviewed countries, higher incidence of malignant than benign MSGTs, absence of canalicular adenoma (CA) occurrence, and a higher incidence of myoepithelioma (MEO).