Salivary gland tumours: 25 years of experience from a single institution in Croatia.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the types, frequency, distribution, and demographic characteristics of salivary gland tumours in a large representative sample.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the medical records of 779 patients with tumours of the salivary glands surgically treated from 1985 to 2009 at a single institution.

RESULTS: There were 500 benign and 279 malignant tumours. The average age of patients with benign tumours was 50 years and of malignant salivary gland tumours 56 years. No differences in age and incidence of tumours existed between males and females. The majority of the tumours occurred in the parotid gland (509), followed by the minor salivary glands (212), the submandibular gland (51) and lastly, the sublingual gland (7). Minor salivary gland tumours occurred most frequently on the palate, the pleomorphic adenoma being the most frequent benign tumour type and the adenoid cystic carcinoma being the commonest malignant tumour. Tumours of the sublingual gland were rare, but all were malignant. Malignant tumours were more common in the minor salivary glands and the submandibular gland.

CONCLUSION: This large study of salivary gland tumours in Croatia could improve our understanding of the significant differences in the global distribution of salivary gland tumours which have been reported.