Management of salivary gland tumours at a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Endogenous hormones have been reported in normal and neoplastic salivary glands, but some of the results have been conflicting. Estrogen receptors were found in nearly 80% of normal glands in males and females and four out of eight salivary tumours in women had estrogen receptor levels similar to those of “hormonally dependent” breast carcinomas. However, more recent studies have not confirmed this finding and questioned the methodology. Estrogen receptors have been reported in a minority of cases of acinic cell carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma and salivary duct carcinoma, but were not detected in adenoid cystic carcinoma.Estrogen or estrogen receptors have been reported in pleomorphic adenomas in some studies, but in others, estrogen receptors were absent. Progesterone receptors have been reported in normal salivary gland. After evaluation of the tumor by clinical examination and specific investigations, a surgical plan was formulated. The final decision was taken per operatively by the surgeon. The specimen was sent for HPE. Overall pleomorphic adenoma, constitute 80% of all salivary gland tumours. In parotid it constitutes 77.77% of all tumours occurring in parotid gland. Among malignant tumours sqamous cell carcinoma constitute 5% and myoepithelial tumour constitutes 5% of all tumours occuring in salivary glands. One HPR was normal accounting for 5% and one was haemangioma.