Salivary gland carcinoma of the palate

Results of a detailed study of the clinical features, histology, management, and prognosis of palatal carcinoma of salivary origin in 30 patients are presented. These were compared to a larger series of salivary carcinoma at other sites, and to the known behavior of epidermoid carcinoma of the palate. The prognosis was significantly better for lesions of the palate. Results of treatment were also much better for these salivary gland lesions than for epidermoid carcinoma of the palate. The frequent occurrence and seemingly greater malignancy of adenoid cystic carcinoma at this anatomic site are stressed. Several patients with primary bone involvement survived, but local recurrence in the maxilla carried a graver prognosis. There was no definite indication that radiotherapy altered the course of the disease, and nothing to suggest that prophylactic neck dissection is of value. On the basis of the evidence presented, there is little to justify more radical excision than the clinical extent of the lesion would indicate, with the probable exception of adenoid cystic carcinoma, where a more aggressive approach may well prevent death from cancer.