Malignant tumours of the submandibular salivary gland: a 15-year review

Malignant tumours of the submandibular salivary gland are rare, difficult to distinguish clinically from benign disease and often only diagnosed after initial excision of the enlarged gland. In this study of 70 patients (46 male, 24 female) with a mean age of 64 years (range 17-94), and an average duration of symptoms of 3 months, a painless submandibular swelling was the most common presentation. Of the 69 primary tumours, the most frequent histological types were adenoid cystic carcinomas (26 patients, 37%) and carcinoma ex-PSA (18 patients, 26%). One tumour was metastatic in origin, arising from a parotid primary. A total of 65 patients were treated by primary excision of the gland while five patients who presented with advanced disease were treated by radiotherapy alone. Adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy was utilised in 53 (75%) of patients. After a mean follow-up of 5 years, 32 (46%) of patients are still alive. Metastatic disease accounted for 21 deaths (30%). The clinical stage at presentation was the most significant factor predicting survival.