Primacy of surgery in the management of mucoepidermoid carcinoma in children

✍ Scribed by Jesse T. Ryan; Adel K. El-Naggar; Winston Huh; Ehab Y. Hanna; Randal S. Weber; Michael E. Kupferman

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2011
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 427 KB
• Volume: 33
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1043-3074
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.21675

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Background

Epithelial salivary gland neoplasms are rare in children. Malignant tumors account for 30% to 50% of cases in the pediatric age group, with mucoepidermoid carcinoma as the most common histology.

Methods

A retrospective medical record review was conducted from 1953 to 2007 to identify patients with mucoepidermoid carcinoma at the age of 18 years or younger at the time of diagnosis. Forty‐nine patients were identified. Their medical records were examined for presentation, treatment, pathologic features, and outcomes.

Results

Forty‐nine pediatric patients with mucoepidermoid carcinoma were identified. The parotid gland (49%) and oral cavity (35%) were the most common subsites. Nodal metastasis was seen in 24% of patients. All patients underwent surgery, and 11 patients (22%) were treated with radiation therapy. The 5‐year overall survival was 98%, the 10‐year overall survival was 94%, and 10% of patients developed recurrence.

Conclusion

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma in children carries a favorable prognosis and can be successfully treated with surgery alone in most cases. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011