Clinical analysis of 116 minor salivary gland tumors of palate

Objective To investigate the pathological classification,diagnosis and treatment of minor salivary gland tumours of the palate.MethodsThe pathological type,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis were analyzed in 116 consecutive cases with salivary gland tumors of the palate from 1983 to 2006.ResultsAmong the 116 cases of salivary gland tumors of the palate,71 cases(61.21%)were benign tumor and most of them were pleomorphic adenoma;45 cases(38.79%)were malignant tumor,of which most were adenoid cystic carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma took second place.Tirty-eight cases occurred in the soft palate,33 cases in hard palate and 45 cases at boundary of soft palate and hard palate.A total of 114 patients were treated by surgical operation.Ninety-five cases were followed up for more than 3 years after surgery.The recurrence rate was 7.4% in benign tumor and 22.0% in malignant tumor.ConclusionSurgical operationwas the best therapy for salivary gland tumors of the palate.Histology diagnosis should be obtained before operation.