Pattern of salivary gland tumors in Manipur, India: A 10 year study

BACKGROUND: Salivary gland lesions, especially the neoplastic lesions constitute a highly heterogeneous histopathologic group. Several studies have reported a significant difference in the global distribution of salivary gland tumors, but no formal study has been carried out in this part of the globe. OBJECTIVES: To document the pattern of various salivary gland tumors in Manipur, a state in North Eastern India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a 10 years (2002-2011) retrospective study of all salivary gland specimens received at our referral teaching hospital in Manipur, India. All the histopathology slides of salivary gland specimens during the study period were reviewed and clinical details were obtained from the archives. Restaining of slides and fresh sections of tissue blocks were performed whenever required. Data thus collected were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 104 cases of salivary gland lesions were studied during the study period. Age ranged from 5 years to 78 years with an overall slight female preponderance (M:F = 1:1.08). Parotid (56.65%) was the commonest gland involved followed by submandibular gland (31.73%).Neoplastic lesions comprised of 78 (75%) cases and non-neoplastic lesions constituted 25% (26 cases). Among the neoplastic lesions, benign lesions (53.85%) predominated over malignant lesions (21.15%). Pleomorphic adenoma was the commonest benign neoplastic lesion and mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the commonest malignant tumor. Chronic sialadenitis was the predominant lesion in the non-neoplastic group. CONCLUSION: The principal site for salivary gland tumors was the parotid gland and pleomorphic adenoma outnumbered all the other tumors. Females are more affected in the malignant group.