Tumours of the palate

Abstract

A histological reclassification of 383 tumours of the palate showed that salivary—gland tumours and epidermoid carcinomata constituted the two largest groups, with 170 and 123 cases, respectively. Of the total number, 219 cases were malignant, which means that the risk of a palatal tumour being malignant is 57%. A long—term clinical follow—up study disclosed a much better prognosis for the malignant salivary—gland tumours than for the epidermoid carcinomata. In the latter group of tumours, the incidence of ulceration was much higher. The presence of ulceration in a tumour of the palate may therefore be considered to indicate an unfavourable prognosis. Salivary—gland tumours were more commonly found in the hard palate, and epidermoid carcinomata in the soft palate.