The role of radiotherapy in the management of benign lymphoepithelial lesions
Sas-Korczyńska, B.; Gliński, B.; Walasek, T.
Otolaryngologia Polska 51(1): 15-19
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-6657 PMID: 9518310 Document Number: 480378
Benign lymphoepithelial lesion (BLL) is observed as a diffuse or nodular enlargement of major salivary gland. In 80% it appears in woman in the sixth and seventh decade. The histopathologic appearance consist of a triad of parenchymatous atrophy, interstitial lymphocytic infiltration and epimyoepithelial islands. This disease co-exists in 50% of cases with connective tissue disorders. In patients with BLL the risk of the development of a malignant lymphoma may be as high as 40:1 in comparison to the control group. From 1960 to 1991 ten women with BLL in salivary glands were treated in Oncology Centre in Kraków. The disease was localized in parotid glands (8 pts), in submandibular glands (1 pt) and in parotid and submandibular gland (1 pt). In this group 3 patients were treated for the rheumatoid arthritis and in 1 women presented symptoms of Sjögren' syndrome. Exclusive surgical treatment was performed in 2 patients, 7 patients were treated with irradiation, and 1 patient received combined therapy: surgery and radiotherapy. The doses of irradiation were from 12 to 36 Gy given in 6 to 18 fractions. Complete remission was observed in 2 patients who received only surgical treatment. In group of 8 patients treated with irradiation and surgery and irradiation we have observed local control in six women after 1 series and in two women after 2 series of irradiation. During the observation malignancies developed in 4 patients between 11 to 39 months after radiotherapy. One patient developed cancer of salivary gland. In remaining 3 patients it was observed malignant lymphomas. Our results of therapy of BLL in salivary gland are similar to presented by the other authors and indicate the efficiency of local (surgical or irradiation) treatment.