Salivary gland tumours: a review of 91 cases.

Background: Salivary gland tumours constitute heterogeneous group of tumours with different biological behaviour and account for 3% of all head and neck tumours. This study was conducted to study the clinico-pathological spectrum of salivary gland tumours.

Methods: The study is a review of 91 cases of salivary gland tumours reported at Chugtai's Lahore Laboratory from 2009-2011. The clinical data of the patients was obtained from their respective files.

Results: Age range of the patients was from 8-92 years. These tumours were slightly more common in females with female to male ratio of 1.1:1. Parotid gland (51.6%) was the commonest site for the occurrence followed by minor salivary glands (27.4%). Majority (58.2%) of them were benign. Of all the benign and malignant tumours pleomorphic adenoma (47.2%) was commonest tumour followed by adenoid cystic (17.5%) and mucoepidermoid tumours (16.4%).

Conclusion: These tumours are more common in females with wide range of age distribution. Parotid gland is the most common site of involvement with pleomorphic adenoma being the commonest tumour type.