Clinico-Epidemiological Analysis of Most Prevalent Parotid Gland Carcinomas in Poland over a 20-Year Period

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Aug 18;19(16):10247. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191610247.

Abstract

(1) Background: Malignant tumours of the salivary glands have different clinical and histopathological characteristics. They most commonly involve the parotid gland. Histopathologically, the most common are mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC), acinic cell carcinoma (AcCC), adenocarcinoma, carcinoma in pleomorphic adenoma (CPA), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). (2) Methods: We analysed 2318 patients with malignant parotid gland tumours reported to the National Cancer Registry (NCR) in Poland over 20 years (1999-2018). The demographic characteristics of patients, clinical factors, and overall survival (OS) were analysed. (3) Results: The average age was 61.33 ± 16.1 years. The majority were males (55%) and urban citizens (64%). High percentage of carcinomas was diagnosed in locoregional (33.7%) and systemic (10.4%) stadium. The most prevalent diagnoses were SCC (33.3%) and adenocarcinoma (19.6%). Surgical resection with adjuvant RT (42.1%) was the most common treatment. The OS analysis showed a median survival time of 5.6 years. The most favorable median OS was found in patients with AcCC (18.30 years), the worst for SCC (1.58 years). (4) Conclusion: AcCC has the best prognosis and SCC the worst. Tumour stadium, treatment, and demographic factors affect prognosis. Improvements in diagnosis and re-evaluation of treatment standards are necessary to enhance the outcome of patients with parotid gland cancers in Poland.

Keywords: acinic cell carcinoma; adenocarcinoma; adenoid cystic carcinoma; carcinoma in pleomorphic adenoma; clinico-epidemiological analysis; mucoepidermoid carcinoma; overall survival; parotid gland cancer; squamous cell carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma* / epidemiology
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parotid Gland / pathology
  • Parotid Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Parotid Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Poland / epidemiology
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms* / therapy

Grants and funding

The present study was a part of the Polish Ministry of Health project “Maps of Healthcare Needs—Database of Systemic and Implementation Analyses” and co-financed by the European Union funds through the European Social Fund under the Operational Program of Knowledge Education and Development (EU grant number: POWR 05.02.00-00-0149/15-01).