Salivary Gland Tumors in Children -A 20-year experience-

Abstract

Salivary gland tumors in children are relatively rare. Seven primary cases of major salivary gland tumor under the age of 17 years and a recurrent case we experienced in the last 20 years were reviewed. Of the primary cases, five were pleomorphic adenoma. The only malignancy was mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Another case was lymphangioma. The recurrent case was a 21-yearold man with mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland. Because most epithelial salivary gland tumors in children are malignant or pleomorphic adenoma, we consider the following steps to be mandatory: 1) utilizing various diagnostic tools adequately,2) aiming for perfect resection without dependence upon postoperative radiotherapy, and 3) long-term follow-up after treatment.