A retrospective review of 139 major and minor salivary gland tumors

Aim To describe demographic and histomorphological characteristics of 139 patients with epithelial salivary gland tumors in the Southeastern Serbia population. Methods A total number of 139 patients with epithelial tumors arising in major and minor salivary glands in the period 2010-2012 was evaluated. After standard tissue proceeding, the routine haematoxylin-eosin (HE) and histochemical alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff (AB - PAS) methods were used for histomorphological examination. Results Among 139 patients, 102 (73.38%) had benign, and 37 (26.62%) malignant tumors. The majority of tumors were localized in the parotid gland, in 117 (84.17%) patients. Among benign tumors there were 50 (49.02%) pleomorphic adenoma, 48 (47.06%) Warthin’s tumor, two (1.96%) myoepithelioma, and two (1.96%) oncocytoma. In the group of malignant tumors the most common was mucoepidermoid carcinoma, in 12 (32.43%) patients, carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma in six (16.22%), adenoid cystic carcinoma in five (13.51%), and oncocytic carcinoma in three (8.11%) patients. Conclusion Benign tumors were more common than malignant ones, with predominance of pleomorphic adenoma. Malignant tumors are less common than benign in the large salivary glands, and more common in the minor salivary glands. Histochemical AB-PAS method helps in the diagnosis of mucinous salivary gland carcinoma.