SANCIO-GONCALVES, Francisco Carlos et al. Pattern and distribution of salivary gland tumours in a Brazilian hospital. Odontol. Clín.-Cient. (Online) []. 2010, 9, 3, pp. 249-252. ISSN 1677-3888.

OBJETIVE:document the distribution of salivary gland tumours (SGT) diagnosed in a period of 5 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive and retrospective study was conducted of SGT from a Brazilian hospital between January 1999 and December 2003. Data concerning gender, age, disease evolution, gland, histological tumour diagnosis and type of Health Care Service (private or public) was retrieved. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 121 cases of SG. Parotid (62%) and minor salivary glands (21.5%) were the most common glands involved. The benign tumours comprised 69.5%. Pleomorphic Adenoma (61.5%) and the Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma (11.5%) were the most prevalent tumours. The tumours aff ected mostly females (71.4%). Malignant tumours aff ected older patients (55.6 years). The prevalence of malignant tumours was significantly higher in the minor salivary glands. Individuals from National Public Health Service had a longer waiting period for treatment (18.5 months ± 12.5) in comparison to patients from Private Health Service (10.7 months ± 9.4) (p= 0.015). The prevalence of SGT was 7.1%. CONCLUSION: Malignant tumour was more prevalent in older patient. It would make a diff erence for patients if the National Health Service, both public and private, changed their management policies in order to reverse the treatment delay.

: salivary glands; tumours; neoplasia.