Salivary gland tumors: a 10-year retrospective study of survival in relation to size, histopathological examination of the tumor, and nodal status

Salivary gland neoplasms represent the most complex and diverse group of tumors encountered by the head and neck oncologist. Their diagnosis and management is complicated by their relative infrequency. The significance of the study was to analyze the different types of salivary gland tumors, the modalities of treatment given, and their varied outcomes in relation with morbidity, prognosis, and survival rate. A total of 436 patients were treated for salivary gland neoplasm at Madras Medical College and Research Institute between 1991 and 2001, and the results were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were between 11 and 72 years of age (mean, 41.5 years), and 334 were male and 102 were female. They were from different socioeconomic groups. Fine-needle aspiration cytology was done for all patients that presented with salivary gland swelling. Univariate analysis was done, the confidence interval and odds ratio were calculated, and the significance was noted. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was estimated, and the results were analyzed. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common benign tumor affecting the salivary glands. In our series, 155 patients had malignant parotid gland neoplasms, and 20 patients had cervical lymph node metastasis at the time of presentation. Facial nerve paralysis was noted in 21 cases. The recurrence after total parotidectomy for malignant salivary gland tumors was effectively managed with external beam irradiation in 19 patients. The survival, prognosis, and the mortality rate of the malignant parotid neoplasms and their relation to the sex of the patient, histopathological type of tumor, nodal status, and size of the tumor were analyzed.