[Clinical study of the proportion of salivary gland tumors in the elder patients].

Purpose: To investigate the proportion of salivary gland tumors in the elder patients in the past ten years, in order to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: The medical data of salivary gland tumors treated in our department from January 2000 to December 2009 were reviewed and analyzed. The changes of three periods between 21c10s, 20c90s and 20c80s were compared.

Results: The number of salivary gland tumors in elder patients increased rapidly in recent years, especially that of benign tumors. Warthin's tumor was the most common benign tumors, and adenoid cystic carcinoma was most often found in malignant tumors. Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma rose to the third among malignant tumors of salivary gland and first among parotid gland malignancies. The proportion of benign tumor was almost equal to malignant tumor in minor salivary gland. The benign-malignant ratio of palatal salivary gland was 1.34:1, which was opposite to the previous figure. The parotid gland was the most common site, followed by palatal and submandibular gland.

Conclusions: The proportion of salivary gland tumors in elder patients in 2000s was different from that in 1980s and 1990s. The changes should be taken into attention in daily clinical works.