Malignant epithelial salivary gland tumors in northern Finland: incidence and clinical characteristics.

A population-based survey was conducted in Northern Finland to evaluate the incidence rate as well as the patient and tumor characteristics of malignant epithelial salivary gland tumors diagnosed between 1988 and 1998. A total of 40 new cases of malignant epithelial salivary gland tumors were diagnosed and separately evaluated. The age-standardized incidence rates (per 100,000 years) were 0.51 among men and 0.35 among women, giving an overall incidence rate of 0.43. About half of the patients suffered from pain, which was the most common symptom along with palpable resistance, but the duration of symptoms varied widely (median: 11 months). Of all the malignant epithelial salivary gland tumors analyzed in our study, fine-needle aspiration cytology correctly indicated malignancy in only 28% of the cases.