Pattern of Salivary Gland Tumour in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria

Background: Salivary gland tumours though rare but constitute a heterogeneous group of tumours accounting for 5% of head and neck tumours with a high incidence reported in other part of the world compared with studies in Sub-saharan Africa. Aim: To describe the dermographic and histopathological patterns of salivary gland tumuors in a tertiary health institution Sokoto. Materials and Method: This was a five-year descriptive and retrospective analysis of all patients diagnosed and managed with salivary gland tumour in the department of ear, nose and throat, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto between January 2010 and December 2014. Clinical records and histopathological slides of these patients were retrieved and data extracted from the case files included patients demography, site of the tumour, and histopathological diagnosis. Data obtained were analysed using IBM-SPSS version 22. Results: A total of 103 salivary gland tumours (SGTs) during the study period. Age ranged from 1 year to 75 years with a mean age of 41.66 (±17.80) years. There was a male preponderance of 53.4% and 46.6% female with a M:F of 1.2:1. Histologically, 35 (34.0%) were benign and 68 (66.0%) were malignant lesion. Minor salivary gland 63 (61.2%) was the commonest gland involved followed by the parotid 27 (26.2%) gland. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was most frequent malignant lesion and pleomorphic adenoma was the commonest benign tumour. Conclusion: Minor salivary glands of the palate are the principal site for salivary gland malignancy with male preponderance and SCC being the most frequent malignant lesion. Therefore any SGTs should raise a high index of suspicion.