Background: Though rare, salivary gland neoplasms form an important group of head and neck neoplasms. There are only limited number of studies on salivary gland neoplasms, especially in Kerala.

Methods: This is a prospective study of 1 year on patients presenting with salivary gland neoplasms to oncology department of a tertiary care hospital. Details including demographic profile, clinical data and histopathological findings were recorded in a proforma and analysed.

Observations: A total of 30 patients were studied of which only 9 were males. Median age was 42 years. Majority of patients (63.3%) presented with a neck swelling, mostly on the left side (56.6%). 66.6% of patients had tumour of the parotid gland. Pleomorphic adenoma was the commonest histological type (73.3%).

Conclusion: Though rare, salivary gland neoplasms should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a neck swelling. Salivary gland neoplasms were most commonly encountered in women with parotid involvement being the commonest in our population.

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Dr Jojo.V. Joseph

Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Caritas Cancer Institute, Kottayam