[Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the salivary gland: analysis of prognostic factors in 28 cases].

: Primary malignant lymphomas of the major salivary glands are rare and usually arise in the parotid gland (2% of all neoplastic disorders). In this report clinical records of 28 cases of NHL of salivary glands (27 in the parotid gland and one in the submandibular gland) are reviewed and problems related to diagnosis and management strategies are discussed. The 5-year overall survival rate was 72% and did non differ from the survival of other NHL of the head and neck. Statistical evaluation of prognostic factors (age, histology, clinical stage, grading, bulky and surgical approach--biopsy versus parotidectomy), are presented. Analysis of these factors showed that prognosis was not influenced by age, histology, clinical stage and grading of disease. Poor survival was significantly correlated to bulky lesions (tumor size greater than 6 cm). In our experience surgical treatment did not significantly affect survival rate. It is concluded that diagnostic surgical procedures in case of suspected NHL of the parotid gland are fine needle aspiration biopsy. (FNAB) or incisional biopsy. The treatment of choice is radiotherapy associated with chemiotherapy in cases of localized-bulky or disseminated disease.