Minor salivary gland tumors of the sinonasal region: results of a retrospective analysis with review of literature.

BACKGROUND Minor salivary gland tumors of the sinonasal region are rare. Minor salivary gland tumors of this region behave differently from other subsites in the head and neck. The objective of our study was to analyze the survival and prognostic factors in patients with minor salivary gland tumors of the sinonasal region. METHODS We carried out a retrospective review of patients with minor salivary gland tumors of the sinonasal region. All slides were reviewed by an independent pathologist. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox multivariate regression to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS In all, 163 patients were identified from our registry. The 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 48.3% and 83.3%, respectively. Tumor grade, nodal status, and adjuvant radiotherapy were significant predictors of disease-free survival (DFS), on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Minor salivary gland tumors have a good overall survival in spite of high recurrence rates. Tumor grade, nodal status, and adjuvant radiotherapy are independent predictors of DFS.