Tumours of the Salivary Gland in Ghana

Abstract

Objective: This retrospective study was performed to characterise salivary gland tumours treated at a tertiary health facility in Ghana over a l0-year period.Patients and Methods: The medical records of patients with salivary gland tumours who were treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana, from 1997 to 2006 were reviewed. Variables determined were age distribution, clinical presentation, site of lesion, histopathology, and method of treatment. Data were analysed using chi-squared, Z- and t tests.Results: The study included 78 patients (45 women and 33 men), with a mean age of 46.2 years. Most patients (94.9%) presented with swelling of the affected gland. Fifty five (71 %) and 23 (29%) tumours were benign and malignant, respectively. Parotid gland tumours had the highest occurrence (61.53%), followed by palatal tumours (31.00%). Pleomorphic adenoma was the commonest benign tumour (62%) of both major and minor salivary glands, while the commonest malignant tumours were adenoid cystic carcinoma and mucoepidennoid carcinoma. Fifty eight patients (74%) were treated with surgery, 8 of whom received adjuvant radiotherapy; 6 were treated with radiotherapy alone.Conclusions: Pleomorphic adenoma was the commonest benign tumour of the salivary glands, and was usually localised in the parotid gland. Minor salivary gland tumours were uncommon, but occurred most often on the palate, with a higher tendency for malignancy than those in the parotid gland.