COMPREHENSIVE FIFTEEN-YEAR STUDY ON PRIMARY MALIGNANT SALIVARY GLAND TUMORS: DEMOGRAPHIC AND PATHOLOGICAL INSIGHTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22551/MSJ.2026.03.16Abstract
Aim: Primary epithelial malignant salivary gland tumors (MSGTs) constitute a rare and heterogeneous group of neoplasms, characterized by variable gender distribution, anatomical localization, and histopathological profiles. The national-level data on their epidemiology and histopathological characteristics are limited in Romania. This study aimed to evaluate primary epithelial MSGTs diagnosed over a 15-year period in our geographical area, in order to characterize their demographic and histopathological features. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 165 cases of primary epithelial MSGTs diagnosed in Sf. Spiridon County Hospital, Iasi, from 2010 to 2024, has been performed. Results: The cohort exhibited an equal gender distribution, with a men-to women ratio of 1:1.01 and a mean patient age of 60.56 ± 15.15 years. The majority of cases occurred in the seventh decade of life. At diagnosis, 61.21% of patients were smokers, 72.12% reported alcohol consumption, and 20% were classified as obese. The most common histological types were adenoid cystic carcinoma (26.06%), followed by mucoepidermoid carcinoma (18.78%) and salivary duct carcinoma (18.78%), while 46.65% of cases involved the parotid glands. A significant association between tumor location and patient’s age (p = 0.001) or histological type and gender (p < 0.001) or between tumor location and histological type (p = 0.014) was registered, while there was no significant correlation between gender and age group (p = 0.528), or between tumor location and gender (p = 0.574), or histopathological type and patient’s age groups (p = 0.303). Conclusions: A deeper insight into the demographic and pathological features of MSGTs could facilitate the design of new strategies of early detection and prevention of these malignancies.
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