Recurrent Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Submandibular Gland

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common benign tumor of salivary glands. Most PAs occur in the parotid (80%), followed by the submandibular gland (10%) and minor salivary and sublingual glands (10%). Submandibular gland PAs usually manifest in the submandibular area as a painless hard mass. Although several recurrent parotid gland PA cases have been reported in the literature, recurrent submandibular gland PA is quite rare. Complete surgical removal of tumor of the submandibular gland and keeping the capsule intact are important to prevent recurrence. Here we present a rare case of submandibular gland PA recurrence that occurred 5 years after the first surgery and methods to prevent recurrence.