Pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary glands: analysis of 94 patients

Pleomorphic adenoma is a benign epithelial tumor of adenoid structure preferentially arising from the parotid gland. It was shown that complete tumor excision is a curative measure and recurrence is likely in incompletely excised tumors. The aim of this study was to analyse the outcome of patients with pleomorphic adenoma from salivary glands in order to evaluate the surgical strategy of a single institution.

The files of 94 patients were evaluated. Special attention was given to the development of malignancy in pleomorphic adenoma.

The pleomorphic adenoma preferentially originated in the parotid gland (n=73; right 48, left: 25), and rarely in other glands. The tumor occurred more often in females than in males (45:28, parotid). In 73 patients a slowly growing swelling of the parotid was first noted, which was located at different sites within the gland. At least one recurrence was noted in 18 patients, the majority of them aged 50 to 70 years (n=12). Malignant transformation to carcinoma was found in 8.5%.

Pleomorphic adenoma from salivary glands is a benign tumor. However, in a noteworthy number of patients, inside the benign tumor a phenotype develops with distinct properties of malignancy. Surgery with safety margins is the therapy of choice. Multinodular tumors are prone to recurrent disease.