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Neoplasms of the salivary glands: a descriptive retrospective study of 142 cases-Mulago Hospital Uganda.

OBJECTIVE
This study was aimed at establishing the prevalence, sex, age, and site distribution of salivary gland neoplasms as seen in the Department of Oral Surgery Mulago Hospital Uganda.


DESIGN
Descriptive retrospective study.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
Histopathological results from the Department of Oral Surgery were retrieved and analyzed for histological diagnosis, age, sex, and site. Records retrieved included those from January 1988 to December 2000. Student's t-test and z-test were used for data analysis.


RESULTS
Of all neoplasms seen in the Department between 1988 and 2000, salivary gland tumors comprised 7.8% of which 77 (54.23%) were benign and 65 (45.77%) were malignant. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most prevalent over all. Among the malignant group, adenocarcinoma was the most prevalent of those where the palate was the most affected site. The age range was 1-80 years with the overall mean age being 33.83 +/- 18. 83. The mean age for the benign lesions was 26.74 +/- 16.0 and for the malignant lesions was 42.49 +/- 19.15.


CONCLUSION
The findings were in agreement with most African studies but differed from studies from the other continents. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most prevalent salivary gland neoplasm with both males and females affected equally. More research is needed on specific salivary gland neoplasms in Uganda and preferentially on a regional basis geographically. However, if valid data on the diagnosis as well as age, site, and sex distribution are to be obtained, an improvement in the standardization of diagnosis and reporting of patient data will be necessary.