Intra-oral minor salivary gland tumours--a study of 25 cases

This paper reviews our experience of minor salivary gland tumours seen jointly in the Departments of Plastic Surgery and Dental Surgery, Singapore General Hospital. Twenty-five cases seen over a period of five years are reviewed and the analysis of these cases show that there is (a) a predilection in the Chinese population to develop these tumours (b) a maximum incidence in the sixth decade (c) a higher incidence of benign tumours in females whilst the malignant tumours are equally common in both sexes (d) the palate is the commonest location of these tumours followed by the cheek and (e) the commonest histological types of malignant tumours are adenoid cystic carcinoma (28%) and muco-epidermoid carcinoma (16%). The malignant propensity of this group of tumours is emphasized as well as the need for adequate and radical primary resection to ensure better survival rates. The results in the present series are extremely encouraging and no recurrences have been noted but no claims are made regarding cure rates because long-term follow-up is necessary in this group of tumours due to late recurrences.