SALIVARY GLAND EPITHELIAL NEOPLASMS IN PEDIATRIC POPULATION: A SINGLE-INSTITUTE EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Objectives Salivary gland epithelial neoplasms are very rare in children and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to determine the clinicopathologic characteristics of salivary gland neoplasms in patients younger than 19 years from January 2005 to December 2017 at our institution according to the 2017 World Health Organization classification of salivary gland tumors. Findings During the 13-year period, a total of 77 patients were analyzed. The tumors were located in the parotid (n= 37), submandibular gland (n = 15), and minor salivary glands (n = 25). The mean age was 14.5 years old (ranging from 6 to 18 years). Seventy-two (93.5%) of 77 tumors occurred in the 10–18 year age group, and only 5 in patients aged less than 10 years. The male-to-female ratio was 1:1.08. Fifty tumors (64.9%) were benign and 27 (35.1%) were malignant. The histologic types of adenomas were pleomorphic adenoma (n = 45, 58.4%), myoepithelioma (n = 4, 5.2%), and sebaceous adenoma (n = 1, 1.3%). The histologic types of carcinomas were mucoepidermoid carcinoma (n = 18, 23.4%), secretory carcinoma (n = 4, 5.2%), acinic cell carcinoma (n = 3, 3.9%), adenoid cystic carcinoma (n = 1, 1.3%), and myoepithelial carcinoma (n = 1, 1.3%). Three of the 4 cases of secretory carcinoma were initially diagnosed as cystadenocarcinoma. Conclusions Salivary gland epithelial neoplasms in Chinese pediatric patients are rare. There was a roughly equal sex distribution. The vast majority of patients were diagnosed in the 10–18 year age group. Parotid gland was most common involved site, and pleomorphic adenoma was the most common tumor overall. Among the malignant tumors, mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most common type, followed by secretory carcinoma and acinic cell carcinoma.