Salivary gland carcinomas in children and adolescents: a population-based study, with comparison to adult cases.

BACKGROUND

Salivary gland carcinomas are rare malignancies, particularly in young individuals in whom only scanty data are available from published studies.

METHODS

We searched the SEER database (1973-2006) for patients with a reported diagnosis of salivary gland carcinoma; children/adolescents (<20 years old) were compared with adults.

RESULTS

We identified 263 children/adolescents (58% girls) and 12,571 adults (43% women). The most common histology was mucoepidermoid carcinoma in both groups, but the percentages of other histologies were different. Children/adolescents had more favorable features with most tumors being localized, with no extension to adjacent tissues or lymphatic spread (76% vs 50% in adults, p < .001). Also most tumors were well differentiated or moderately differentiated (88% vs 49% in adults, p < .001). The 5-year overall survival for children/adolescents was 95% ± 1.5%, compared with 59% ± 0.5% for adults (p < .001).

CONCLUSION

When compared with adults, salivary gland carcinomas in children/adolescents are less advanced, and have more favorable features and better outcome.