Histopathological study of the human submandibular gland in graft versus host disease.

Major salivary gland dysfunction and severe xerostomia is one of the manifestations of graft versus host disease (GVHD). The histopathological evaluation of the major salivary gland in patients with GVHD has never been reported. The pathological findings of the submandibular glands in a GVHD patient who succumbed to the disease are described. Lymphocytic infiltration, parenchymal destruction, and fibrosis were observed, which may provide the pathophysiological mechanism for the xerostomia and hyposalivation observed in GVHD.