CORRELATION OF CLINICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, FNAC, AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FEATURES IN SALIVARY GLAND MASSES

Objectives: To assess the clinical, radiological, and Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) features of salivary gland tumors and evaluate the risk of malignancy (ROM) for different cytological categories using Milan Classification System compared to histopathological report as the gold standard. Methods: This retrospective study evaluates clinical, radiological, and FNAC findings, classified using MILAN system, from patients clinically diagnosed with salivary gland tumors between 2020. and February 2024. Results: Among 75 patients (30 males, 45 females), 86.7% had benign and 13.3% malignant tumors. The parotid gland was the most commonly affected. Warthin tumor and pleomorphic adenoma were the most frequent benign tumors, while adenoid cystic carcinoma was the most common malignant type. Statistically significant differences were observed regarding tumor consistency, mobility, and peripheral facial nerve palsy (p<0.05). Of 55 available FNAC results, the prevalence with MILAN categories was: Non-diagnostic (3.6%), Non-neoplastic (7.3%), Atypia of undetermined significance (1.8%), Benign neoplasm (72.7%), Salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (3.6%), Suspicious for malignancy (5.5%), and Malignant (5.5%). The corresponding risk of malignancy (ROM) was 0%, 25%, 0%, 0%, 50%, 67%, and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: Meticulous clinical and radiological assessment followed by FNAC are unavoidable diagnostic steps for proper planning of the treatment of salivary gland tumors. Preoperative findings are of paramount importance within the individualized and personalized medicine approach in the treatment of salivary gland masses.