A nationwide study on incidence and mortality of major salivary gland malignancies 2007–2020

Abstract

Malignant major salivary gland tumors (MMSGTs) are rare neoplasms with increasing incidence. This study aimed to assess Serbia’s epidemiological trends of MMSGTs over a 14-year period and compare them with global epidemiological patterns. A retrospective descriptive epidemiological study was performed using national data from the Institute for Public Health spanning 2007 to 2020. MMSGT cases were identified using ICD-10 codes C07 and C08 (malignant neoplasms of the parotid gland and malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified major salivary gland including sublingual and submandibular glands, respectively). Standardized incidence and mortality rates were calculated per 100,000 population, and linear regression analysis was used to evaluate temporal trends. The average standardized incidence rate of MMSGTs was 0.68 per 100,000 persons (95% CI: 0.53–0.83), while the average standardized mortality rate was 0.32 per 100,000 persons (95% CI: 0.23–0.42). Linear regression analysis demonstrated no significant trend in incidence in the overall population (p = 0.089) or among males (p = 0.707). In contrast, incidence increased among females (β = 0.0233, R² = 0.377, p = 0.019), corresponding to an estimated annual percent change of 4.1% (95% CI: 0.5%–7.8%). No significant trends in mortality were identified. This nationwide population-based analysis provides the first assessment of MMSGT incidence and mortality trends in Serbia. Although overall incidence and mortality remained stable between 2007 and 2020, a significant increase in incidence was observed among females. Continued surveillance and improved registry granularity, including histological and age-specific data, are needed to better characterize evolving epidemiological patterns.