抄録
From 1984 to 1991, four patients (1 male and 3 females, average age: 42.5 years) with pleomorphic adenoma of the submandibular gland were treated surgically in this department. In a previous report I described the distinctive features of the capsule in pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland. In this report I describe those of the submandibular gland capsule and compare the capsular features of pleomorphic adenoma in the two glands. In some areas of the submandibular glands in all four patients there were tumor projections. The capsule over these areas was a little thin and contained small infiltrations of tumor cells but showed no defect, daughter tumor or unevenness. On the other hand, in other parts of the capsules which were adjacent to submandibular gland tumores, there were uneven areas, daughter tumors, defects and infiltration of the capsule by tumor cells. These findings were similar to those of pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland. They suggest that the capsule of pleomorphic adenoma of the submandibular gland is formed by the same process as that of parotid gland pleomorphic adenoma. During surgery one must extirpate the tumor along with the entire submandibular gland and the adjacent connective tissue.
