Abstract
BackgroundThe primary objective of this study is to describe variations in incidence rates, resection rates, and types of surgical ablations performed on patients diagnosed with major salivary gland cancers in Ontario.MethodsAll major salivary gland cancer cases in Ontario (2003–2010) were identified from the Ontario Cancer Registry (n = 1,241). Variations in incidence rates, resection rates, and type of surgical therapy were compared by sex, age group, neighbourhood income, community population, health region, and physician specialty.ResultsEight-year incidence rates per 100,000 vary significantly by sex (male: 15.5, female: 9.7), age (18–54 years: 6.7, 75+ years: 53.4), neighborhood income (lowest quintile: 11.8, highest quintile: 13.7), and community size (cities with a population greater than 1.5 million: 10.6, cities with a population of less than 100,000: 14.7). There was a significant correlation between the likelihood to receive a resection and age with the elderly (75+ years) being the least likely to receive resection (69%). Large differences in incidence and resection rates were observed by health region. Otolaryngology-Head & Neck surgeons provide the majority of total/radical resections (95%).ConclusionsMajor salivary gland cancer incidence rates vary by sex, age, neighborhood income, community size, and health region. Resection rates vary by age and health region. These disparities warrant further evaluation. Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgeons provide the majority of major salivary gland cancer surgical care.
Highlights
The primary objective of this study is to describe variations in incidence rates, resection rates, and types of surgical ablations performed on patients diagnosed with major salivary gland cancers in Ontario
Incident major salivary gland cancers cases from the Ontario Cancer Registry (OCR) were linked to the Canadian Institute for Health Information Discharge Abstract Database (CIHI DAD) and CIHI Same Day Surgery (SDS) Database using relevant salivary gland and submandibular gland resection codes providing hospital level information
We found that extent of parotidectomy from Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) and CIHI codes were well correlated, that is, more than 90% of OHIP-coded superficial parotidectomies were coded as partial resections whereas OHIP-coded total procedures were coded as either total or radical parotidectomies in CIHI
Summary
The primary objective of this study is to describe variations in incidence rates, resection rates, and types of surgical ablations performed on patients diagnosed with major salivary gland cancers in Ontario. Malignant tumours of the salivary glands have a relatively low incidence as compared to other head and neck cancers. In 2007, 419 new cases of salivary gland cancer were identified in Canada, 230 of which occurred in males [1]. In 2009, 109 deaths were attributable to salivary gland cancer in Canada [1]. Salivary gland cancers account for more than 0.5% of all malignancies and approximately 7% of all head and neck cancers [5].
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