Salivary gland tumors of the palate: the UCLA experience

A retrospective review of 38 patients with salivary gland tumors of the palate treated between 1961 and 1984 is presented. The majority of tumors were identified at an early stage. Most (23 of 38 cases) originated over the hard palate. The most common histological type was adenoid cystic carcinoma (22 cases). Twenty-five patients were treated with surgery alone, of whom, three had wide local excision. Thirteen patients received postoperative radiation therapy in addition to surgery. The local control was comparable for surgery alone and combined therapy (88% and 85%, respectively) although the combined therapy group was biased by more advanced disease, inadequate margins, and/or poorly differentiated histologies. Mucoepidermoid lesions had an excellent prognosis with local control of 100%. In contrast, there was a 23% recurrence rate for adenoid cystic carcinoma. Regional neck node metastasis was noted in 2% of the patients. This experience indicates that radical resection of palate salivary gland malignancy with adequate margins results in excellent local control. Adjuvant radiation therapy is recommended in cases where there is a question of adequate margins and in advanced lesions of high grade tumors.