Histopathological study of salivary gland tumours in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

The objective of this study is to document the prevalence and clinicopathologic features/pattern of salivary gland tumours in Ile-Ife, southwestern Nigeria.

Fifty eight (58) cases of salivary gland tumours histologically diagnosed between January 1989 and December 2007 were identified from the biopsy records of the Departments of Morbid Anatomy and Forensic Medicine and Oral/Maxillofacial Pathology of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The records of the patients were extracted and data on incidence, age, gender and site of the various tumours were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common salivary gland tumour reported accounting for twenty-five (43.1%), followed by Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (eight, 13.8%). Adenoid cystic carcinoma and myoepithelioma each accounted for six cases (10.3%). Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the salivary gland occurred in two patients. Twenty-six (44.8%) cases occurred in males while thirty-two (55.2%) occurred in females giving a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.2. The parotid region was the most common site accounting for twenty-eight (49.1%) cases, followed by the submandibular region 16 (28.1%) and palate 10(17.5%).

Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common salivary gland tumour. Contrary to other African studies, our series reveals mucoepidermoid carcinoma as the commonest malignant salivary gland tumour.