Abstract
We conducted a retrospective analysis of 16 cases of malignant tumors originating from the submandibular gland, which were diagnosed and surgically managed at our department between April 2007 and July 2022. Among these cases, adenoid cystic carcinoma was the most common subtype with 7 cases, followed by carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma with 4 cases, and mucoepidermoid carcinoma with 2 cases. Eight cases were suspected or diagnosed as malignant by fine-needle aspiration cytology, 5 cases were classified as atypia of undetermined significance or uncertain malignant potential, and 3 cases were diagnosed as benign. Disease staging revealed 7 cases at stage Ⅰ, 3 cases at stage Ⅱ, 2 cases at stage Ⅲ, and 4 cases at stage Ⅳ. The 5-year overall survival rate was 87.1％, with clinical stage Ⅳ, primary stage T4, and cervical lymph node metastasis identified as poor prognostic factors. Recurrence in all cases was associated with a poor prognosis.
