Statistical Study of 275 Cases of Head and Neck Tumors in Childhood

275 cases of head and neck tumors were observed among patients from 0 to 17 years of age at the National Cancer Institute of Milan during the forty year period 1928–1968. Because of possible preselection of the case material, cutaneous angiomas, retinoblastomas, adamantinomas and central nervous system (CNS) tumors were excluded from this series. All cases were evaluated from the viewpoint of histogenesis, site, age and sex. From the analysis of the different cases we can point out that: 1) if CNS tumors and retinoblastoma are excluded, no type of head and neck neoplasm is absolutely characteristic of childhood. 2) Angioma is the most common benign growth, followed by thyroid adenoma, nevus and parotid gland mixed tumor; among malignant tumors, the most frequent are solid and lymphoreticular sarcomas followed with a much lower incidence by carcinoma of nasopharynx. 3) The epithelial investment very rarely gives origin to malignant tumors, which are predominantly found in the nasopharynx. 4) A part from some exceptions, the general incidence of all benign and malignant tumors increases proportionally with age. 5) Benign tumors are more common among females while malignant tumors among males. 6) Rhabdomyosarcoma of the head and neck area is located almost solely in the soft palate.