Histopathological study of salivary gland tumors

CONTEXT: The salivary glands are the site of origin of a wide variety of neoplasms and are also relatively uncommon. The histopathology of these tumors is said to be the most complex and diverse of any organ in the body. The incidence of salivary gland tumors (SGTs) is claimed to be influenced by geographical and racial factors. Histopathological diagnosis plays a major role in the diagnosis of these neoplasms, with very few contribution using special stains, immunohistochemistry and cytogenetic studies. AIMS: Aimed at understanding the epidemiological pattern of these tumors and to compare our findings with reports done elsewhere. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a retrospective study done at Pathology Department a Postgraduate Teaching Hospital, Tertiary Care Centre in Bagalkot, Karnataka, India. All the cases of SGTs, which had been recorded in a 3-year period from 2009 to 2012, were enrolled in the study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Clinical data were recorded and analyzed with respect to gender, age, site and histopathologic type. RESULTS: Data of 59 cases of SGTs were recorded, of which 43 (69.16%) cases were classified as benign tumors and 16 (22.39%) cases as malignant tumors. Male to female ratio (M/F) and the mean age of patients were 1:1.8 and 43 years, respectively. Pleomorphic adenoma (60.71%) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (14.94%) were the most common benign and malignant neoplasms. CONCLUSIONS: Although the SGTs encountered were similar in most of their characteristics to those reported in India and other countries, some differences such as relative frequency, age and gender prevalence were discovered.