Retrospective Analysis of Histopathological Reports of Salivary Gland Pleomorphic Adenomas in Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common benign tumor representing about 80% of all salivary gland tumors. Despite this, there is limited documentation of the demographic information and pattern of PA in Tanzania. This study retrospectively determines the demographic information and the pattern of presentation of pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary gland among patients managed at a tertiary hospital in Tanzania.
Methods: This was a retrospective study of histological results of salivary gland pleomorphic adenoma diagnosed between 2016 and 2021. The information gathered included the age and sex of the patient and the anatomical location. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 27 computer program.
Results: Out of 1824 reports of patients with oral and maxillofacial lesions retrieved from the archives of the department, 62 (3.4%) had the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary glands. The patients’ ages at diagnosis ranged from 7 to 72 years, with a mean age of 39.9 (SEM = 2.3) years. The male-to-female ratio of patients diagnosed with pleomorphic adenoma was 1:1. There were 31 (50%) cases of pleomorphic adenomas affecting major salivary glands. The palatal minor salivary glands were the most (n=31, 50%) affected followed by the parotid gland (n=16, 25.8%).
Conclusion: Pleomorphic adenomas have no sex predilection, most of these lesions occur during the 3rd to 5th decade of life. The majority of pleomorphic adenomas occur in the palatal minor salivary glands.