Salivary gland lesions in children. A survey of 430 cases

Abstract

An analysis of all salivary gland lesions accessioned at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) reveals that of the total of 9,993 cases affecting both the major and minor glands, 430 (4.3%) occurred in pediatric patients, i.e., those under 15 years of age. A review of these pediatric cases revealed that most of the lesions were non-neoplastic (262 cases). The remaining 168 cases were classified as tumors of varying types (including hamartomas). There were 114 in the benign category and 54 malignant tumors. Of the total number of salivary gland tumors accessioned by the AFIP, the tumors in children represented 1.3% of the benign and 3% of the malignant tumors, respectively. Mixed tumor (pleomorphic adenoma) was the most frequent benign tumor. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most frequent of the primary malignant tumors. Although follow-up information was too fragmentary for valid analysis, there was little evidence to support marked differences in the behavior of pediatric salivary tumors from those occurring in the general population.