Tumours of the salivary glands: a histological and clinical review

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to try to identify points of correlation between the histological appearance and the clinical behaviour of minor salivary gland tumours. To this end 62 well-documented minor salivary gland tumours have been followed up for at least five years or until recurrence. The discussion is limited to the adenoidcystic carcinoma, the pleomorphic adenoma and the basal cell adenoma, since only these three tumours were represented in sufficient numbers to be analysed. For each tumour a number of histological pointers to prognosis are reviewed. In the case of the basal cell adenoma, a recently recognised tumour, the possibility of confusion with the adenoidcystic carcinoma is discussed.