Clinico-pathological analysis of malignant salivary gland tumours in Juth Jos, north central Nigeria.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Salivary gland tumours are common head and neck tumours. Malignant salivary gland tumours generally occur less frequently than benign ones and account for greater morbidity and mortality. Patients in our environment are seen to present at late stages and Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the commonest histologic type. OBJECTIVE To analyse the clinicopathologic features of malignant salivary gland tumours in our environment. METHODS This is a descriptive study of all histologically confirmed malignant salivary gland tumour with the clinical stage determined during surgery over a period of ten years (January 1997 to December 2007). Fresh sections (3 mm)of tissue block of salivary gland lesions were obtained. They were made into slides and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) and periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stains.
The slides were reported independently by four pathologists. Diagnosis was made according to the world health organisation (WHO) classification of salivary gland tumours. Case files of these patients were retrieved and informations such as age, stage during surgery and site of occurrence were gotten from the files. Data was analyzed using simple statistical formulas to determine mean and frequency. Deductions and observed were then discussed. RESULTS A total of 74 malignant salivary gland tumours were observed of which Mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the commonest histologic type. Age range was 40 69 years, mean age 58 years, P value 0.0, peak age group 50 -59 years, they were predominantly, males (70.2%). The parotid gland was the commonest site of occurrence and most present at late stage III. CONCLUSION Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the commonest histologic variant and most of the patients present in late stages. Efforts should be made to educate the populace on early presentation to hospital.