Necrotizing sialometaplasia. A disease simulating malignancy

Abstract

Results of a clinicopathologic study of seven cases of a previously unreported disease of minor salivary gland are presented. Necrotizing sialometaplasia is a disease of adults with four of seven patients being in the sixth decade of life. In every case, this benign inflammatory process involved only the tissues covering the hard palate, and, in six instances, it was characterized by ulceration. Lobular necrosis and marked squamous metaplasia of salivary gland are consistent features. Microscopically, necrotizing sialometaplasia shows marked similarity to mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and criteria are presented to aid in distinguishing these two conditions. There have been no recurrences following local surgical excision. Etiologic factors remain obscure.