PREVALENCE OF PAROTID TUMORS AMONG YEMENI PATIENTS IN SANA'A CITY, YEMEN

Background and aims: Parotid gland tumors (PGT) are a moderately scarce group of tumors with a broad range of histopathological manifestations and clinical characteristics. To date, most epidemiological studies on salivary gland tumors including PGT are limited in Yemen and this is one of the first studies, so the aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of different tumors affecting the parotid glands and the effect of age and sex on their distribution. Methods: Epidemiological information as well as demographic data, anatomical site, and histological analysis of PGT were analyzed. The data analyzed included age, sex, site, and histological diagnosis. Data were collected from all histopathological centers covering the majority of Sana'a city between 2019 and 2023. Results: A total of 284 cases- 69% benign and 31% malignant tumors were examined. Both benign and malignant tumors showed a little male inclination (52.5%) and a peak occurrence between the third and fifth decade. Malignant tumors make up 31% of patients, while benign tumors make up 69%. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (36.4%) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (11.4%) are two common malignant tumor types. Benign parotid tumors include pleomorphic adenoma (71.4%) and Warthin tumors (11.2%) of benigns. Other malignants and benigns are less frequent. Conclusions: This study presents the first prospective study to date to analyze PGT data from health centers spread across Sana'a city. These results should serve the same as the basis for prospect studies assessing the epidemiological geography of these tumors in Sana'a in particular and Yemen in general. Peer Review History: Received 18 May 2024; Reviewed 12 July 2024; Accepted 23 August; Available online 15 September 2024 Academic Editor: Dr. Nuray Arı, Ankara University, Turkiye, [email protected] Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.5/10 Reviewers: Asmaa Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Khalifa, Pharos University, Alexandria, Egypt, [email protected] Dr. George Zhu, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, [email protected]