Tumors of the salivary glands

In a series of 65 salivary gland tumors seen in patients over eight years, 86 per cent were seen in the parotid gland, fewer than 10 per cent were in the submandibular gland, and none were in the sublingual gland. The remaining tumors were in minor salivary glands. About one half of the patients were in the sixth decade of life. Over 80 per cent of the lesions were benign; 50 per cent were from 1.5 to 2.5 cm in diameter, and the average delay between discovery and removal was over two years. In only one patient was there facial nerve involvement.