Salivary Gland Tumors in Patients Referring to Loghman Hakim Hospital in a 10-Year Period

Considering the importance of epidemiologic studies, and with respect to the absence of adequate studies in salivary gland tumors in Iran, the present study was carried out on 55 Iranian patients in a 10-year period to evaluate the epidemiologic characteristics of these tumors. The clinical data of patients referred to Loghman Hakim Hospital between April 1997 and March 2007 was reevaluated. The statistical importance of different factors was assessed using t-test and chi square test. A total of 55 patients were included of whom 55% were male and 45% were female. Salivary gland tumors were more frequent in forth decade of life. The incidence of malignant cases increased with increasing age. The most common tumor in general and also the most common benign tumor was pleomorphic adenoma. Among malignant tumors, mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most common one. Parotid was the most common site of involvement. No case of minor salivary gland involvement encountered in this series. Our findings are more or less in accordance with other societies, however, the prevalence of Wartin’s tumor was lower than those of other similar studies. The most frequent presenting symptom was painless lump and the most frequent sign, was a palpable mass with average size of 3cm.