Intraoral minor salivary gland neoplasms: Review of 213 cases

Wei Yung Yih, F. James Kratochvil, Jeffery C.B. Stewart

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

163 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Minor salivary gland tumors (MSGTs) constitute a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with great histomorphologic variation. This study reviews a large series of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors of the oral region and determines the incidence and the correlation of the histopathologic features with the clinical characteristics. Materials and Methods: Two hundred thirteen cases of MSGT were retrospectively studied. Hematoxylin-eosin-stained slides were examined in all cases. Special stains and immunohistochemical stains were used in selected cases. Clinical characteristics of the neoplasms were also noted. Results: One hundred nineteen tumors were benign (56%), and 94 tumors were malignant (44%). Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common benign tumor (93 of 119). Canalicular adenoma was the second most common benign MSGT in our series (25 of 119). Of the 94 malignant MSGTs, mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) (45 of 94), adenoid cystic carcinoma (22 of 94), and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (18 of 94) were the most common. Most MECs (34 of 45) were low-grade lesions. Of 5 central MECs, 3 cases occurred in the maxilla and 2 cases arose in the mandible. Conclusions: Benign intraoral MSGTs are slightly more common than malignant MSGTs. Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common MSGT, and MEC is the most common malignant variety. The palate is the most common site for minor gland neoplasms. Benign labial salivary gland neoplasms are more common in the upper lip, and malignant labial tumors are more common in the lower lip.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)805-810
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume63
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2005

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Oral Surgery
  • Otorhinolaryngology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Intraoral minor salivary gland neoplasms: Review of 213 cases'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this