Malignant tumours of the minor salivary glands—a 20 year review

The UK incidence of malignant disease of the minor salivary glands is only 0.6 per million per year. The tumours have a varied histology, can present in any age group and are frequently advanced if located in the sinonasal cavities. In a 20-year review of 21 patients treated for minor salivary gland malignancy in a single institution, it was found that mucoepidermoid tumours were more common in the oral cavity and adenoid cystic carcinomas in the sinonasal tract (p=0.002). Outcome was variable with sinonasal and adenoid cystic carcinoma having a poorer outcome. Kaplan–Meier curves showed that oral tumours had a higher probability of long term survival. Radical surgery with reconstruction and post-operative adjuvant radiotherapy was effective in achieving loco-regional control. There were no local recurrences within 5 years and three after 5 years. Five patients developed metastatic disease within 10 years and a further two after 10 years. Late recurrences occurred and survival was mainly determined by the presence of systemic disease.