Prognostic factors and overall survival in a 15-year followup of patients with malignant salivary gland tumors: a retrospective analysis of 193 patients

INTRODUCTION

Malignant tumors of the salivary glands are uncommon pathological entities, representing less than 5% of head and neck neoplasms. The prognosis of patients with malignant tumors of the salivary glands is highly variable and certain clinical factors can significantly influence overall survival.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinicopathologic and sociodemographic characteristics that influence survival in patients with malignant tumors of the salivary glands METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed sex, age, race, education level, tumor location, tumor size, lymph node involvement, distant metastasis, margin status, treatment type, marital status, method of health care access and 15-year overall survival in 193 patients with malignant tumors of the salivary glands. The X², log-rank Mantel-Cox, multinomial regression and Cox logistic regression tests were used (SPSS 20.0,p < 0.05).

RESULTS

The most common histological types were adenocarcinoma (32.1%), adenoid cystic carcinoma (31.1%) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (18.7%). The 15-year overall survival rate was 67.4%, with a mean of 116±6 months. The univariate analysis revealed that male sex (p = 0.026), age > 50 years (p=0.001), referral origin from the public health system (p=0.011), T stage (p= 0.007), M stage (p< 0.001), clinical stage (p< 0.001), compromised surgical margins (p= 0.013), and chemotherapy (p< 0.001) were associated with a poor prognosis. Multivariate analyses also showed that age > 50 years was independently associated with a poor prognosis (p= 0.016). The level of education was the only factor more prevalent in older patients (p= 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with malignant tumors of the salivary glands older than 50 years have a worse prognosis and an independent association with a low education level.

Combined Orthodontic-Orthognathic Approach for Dentofacial Deformities as a Risk Factor for Gingival Recession: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the risk of development of gingival recession (GR) as a result of the combined orthodontic-orthognathic approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PubMed, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. Included articles mentioned gingival parameters in their materials and methods sections; specifically, they evaluated GR, which was measured before and after the surgical procedure. Study parameters such as methodology, evaluation period, sample characteristics, and follow-up were extracted by 2 authors independently.

RESULTS

In total, 133 relevant articles were identified from the databases; after screening and full-text analysis, 9 studies were included in this systematic review. Meta-analysis could not be conducted because of considerable heterogeneity in methods. The incidence of GR in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 mm as a significant clinical finding after orthognathic surgery showed statistically significant differences in all included articles. Among patients with GR, the mean age was 23.0 to 29.5 years and the mandibular incisors were the most common site. However, no case of recession greater than 3.0 mm was associated with surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of the findings of this review, GR of approximately 0.5 to 3.0 mm is a common finding after the combined orthodontic-orthognathic approach. Although periodontal damage up to 3 mm can be observed as an isolated finding in mainly the incisors, true recession is not associated with orthognathic surgery in general.