[Malignant salivary gland tumor. Occurrence, histology, prognosis]

The article is based to some extent upon publications from the ear, nose and throat departments at Rikshospitalet and Ullevål sykehus. For a long time, about 25-30 malignant neoplasms of salivary glands have been diagnosed each year in Norway. Some develop in major salivary glands such as glandula parotis and glandula submandibularis; some in minor salivary glands, most typically in the palate. In this respect glandula sublingualis is of little importance. The purpose of this article is to indicate the prognosis for these malignant neoplasms in the light of therapeutic results reported in this country and abroad. Besides therapeutics, other important factors for the prognosis include localization and histological type. These factors are dealt with separately. The prognosis is found to be best for malignant salivary gland neoplasms of the palate, with a reported five years survival of up to 77%. The next best prognosis is for glandula parotis (46-70%), followed by glandula submandibularis (32-50%).