Bharadwaj Vedula1 , Srikanth Reddy K.2 , Sree Ramulu Naidu R.3 , Sudhakar R.4
BACKGROUND Salivary gland tumours are relatively uncommon neoplasms encountered in the head and neck region. They are a subject of interest because they present with diversified and complex histopathological findings, thus posing a diagnostic difficulty. Histopathological diagnosis plays a major role in the diagnosis of these neoplasms. This study was carried out to study the histopathological spectrum of salivary gland lesions and to know their pattern of distribution. METHODS This is a 4-year retrospective study of all salivary gland tumours received at the Department of Pathology, Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Foundation, Amalapuram, AP, India, from January 2016 to December 2019. The neoplasms were analysed based on age, sex, site, and histopathological features. RESULTS Out of a total of 68 specimens of salivary gland tumours that were received during the study period, 50 cases (73.52%) were benign and 18 cases (26.48%) were malignant. The highest incidence for benign tumours was in the fourth and fifth decade, whereas for malignant tumours, it was the 5th and 6th decades of life. These tumours were found to be more common in females (58.8%). Parotid was the most common site of salivary neoplasms (66.17%) followed by the submandibular gland (25%). Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common benign neoplasm (42 cases) followed by Warthin tumour (4 cases). Mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most common malignant neoplasm (8 cases) followed by acinic cell carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma (3 cases each). CONCLUSIONS Histopathological examination is the mainstay for diagnosis and clinical management of salivary neoplasms owing to their varied histopathological spectrum. Pleomorphic adenoma was the commonest salivary gland tumour observed in both sexes. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most common malignant salivary gland tumour. The parotid gland was the most common site of origin in both benign and malignant tumours.
