Analysis of pattern of salivary gland cancers: Descriptive analysis from a single center

Abstract

Salivary gland carcinomas are the malignant tumours arising from major or minor salivary glands, accounting for 5% of all head and neck cancers. There is scarce data available regarding pattern of presentation and clinical outcome of salivary glands in Pakistan. Thus this retrospective analysis of the patients presenting with salivary gland tumours was designed. A total of 305 patients were diagnosed with salivary gland cancers from 2008 till 2023, including 127 (41.6%) of females and 178 (58.4%) of male patients. There were 191 (62.6%) patients with parotid gland cancer and 114(37.4%) with submandibular and other minor glands. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most prominent histological type followed by Adenoid Cystic carcinoma. Grade 2 (44.1%) was most frequently reported followed by Grade 1 (33.9%) and 3 (22.0%). These cancers did not show any significant association with age or gender. Salivary gland cancers are relatively rare cancer. Further studies to explore biological characteristics and long term clinical outcome are recommended.