Minor salivary gland tumors in the Indian population: A series of cases over a ten year period

Problem consideredMinor salivary glands are found in the sino-nasal cavities, oropharynx, larynx and trachea with the majority being found in the oral cavity. 80% or more of minor salivary gland tumors are malignant and they tend to have a great variation in presentation and histology. We sought out to compare the presentation of various minor salivary gland tumors (MSGT's) in the Indian population as compared to that reported in different races and regions.MethodsWe report a clinical case series in which 17 patients with biopsy proven minor salivary gland tumors both benign and malignant at various intraoral sites viz the palate, cheek, retromolar trigone and floor of the mouth were operated upon and followed up over a span of 10 years from 2001 to 2011.Results15 patients were treated timely with complete removal of the lesions by wide local excision and as confirmed by histopathology; one patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma delayed in seeking treatment and expired within a month and another with salivary duct carcinoma presented with advanced disease and regional metastases in the form of multiple ipsilateral enlarged lymph nodes and distant metastases in the liver. He was given palliative radiotherapy but he died after six weeks of receiving treatment.Conclusionthe results that we obtained for Indians were comparable to the various population studies done around the world.