Salivary gland tumours - a three years experience at King Edward Medical College, Lahore

Salivary gland tumours make an important part of oral & maxillofacial pathology. Only few studies have been done in Pakistani population. The aim of this study was to describe morphological types of salivary gland tumours diagnosed at King Edward Medical College/ Mayo Hospital, Lahore during the years 1999-2001 and to compare their demographic data with those previously published. Material & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at King Edward Medical College/ Mayo Hospital, Lahore. It reports 117 cases of salivary gland tumours diagnosed at Pathology Department during 1999-2001. Results: Of the 128 specimens of salivary glands, 117(91.4%) were confirmed as salivary neoplasms. Out of them, 62.7% were benign and 37.6% malignant and a slight female predominance (58.1%) was found. The most common location was the parotid gland (65.8%) followed by minor salivary glands (19.6%). Majority oft he t tumours was diagnosed during 3rd to 5 decades of life. Median age for benign tumours was 33 years (range 1-78) and a female predominance (58.9%) was seen again. Median age for malignant neoplasms was 45 years (range 9-70) with a female predilection ( 56.8%). However, 4 out o f 5 patients with Warthin`s tumour were men. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most frequent tumour (51.3%), followed by mucoepidermoid carcinoma (25.6%), adenoid cystic carcinoma (7.7)), Warthin`s tumour (4.3%) and monomorphic adenoma (2.6%). Two cases each of oncytoma & adenocarcinoma were recorded. Rare categories (single case each) of salivary tumours included lipoma, acinic cell carcinoma, basal cell adenoma, capillary haemangioma, metastatic carcinoma and non Hodgkin`s lymphoma. Conclusion: The principal site of salivary tumours was the parotid gland and females were most affected. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most frequent finding. The results of this study are comparable with other studies.