Mucoepidermoid tumors of salivary glands

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Abstract
Mucoepidermoid tumors of salivary glands are relative rare and it has often been difficult to correlate the patologic features and clinical aspects. The literature recommends long term follow‐up studies. The object of the present study was therefore to follow this recommendation. The clinico‐pathological features of 39 mucoepidermoid tumors are presented. The material was retrieved from the files of the pathological institute, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, during the period 1941–75. All patients, 24 males, 15 females, were followed for a minimum of 5 years. The lesions were classified into low grade (13 cases), intermediate grade (14 cases) and high grade (12 cases). The corresponding 5, 10 and 15 years cumulative survival rates were 92%, 92%, 92% for low grade, 47.4%, 47.4%, 35.5% for intermediate grade and 0%, 0%, 0% for high grade tumors. Thus we found a close correlation between pathology and clinical course. Furthermore, a 5 year observation period appeared an acceptable approach, because 17 of the 18 patients who succumbed of the disease, did so within 4 years following surgery. We consider all grades of mucoepidermoid tumors to be potential malignant. In our study one patient with a low grade tumor died of the disease.