Recurrent pleomorphic adenoma of the head and neck.

We reviewed the clinical and imaging files of 15 patients with pathologically confirmed recurrent pleomorphic adenomas of the head and neck. The primary tumours were in the lacrimal gland (1 case), cheek (2), palate (5), parotid gland (4), and submandibular gland (3). Recurrence was generally late, with an average of 14.9 years between initial surgery and recurrence. Multiple recurrent tumours, measuring 5-50 mm were found in eight patients. In all palatal cases recurrence was large and solitary. Most recurrent pleomorphic adenomas were well delineated with smooth margins, like most primary tumours. Irregularity of the margins was seen in four patients. In four of the five tumours of the palate and in the orbital lesion, the recurrent tumours caused bone destruction, thus mimicking malignant lesions. Irregular-margined recurrences seem to be rather small and found among multiple recurrent nodules.