Salivary gland tumours: a single-centre study

Abstract

Background: There are few descriptive studies reporting on all salivary glands from a single-centre in South Africa. The aim is to describe the histology and epidemiology of salivary gland tumours (SGT) undergoing surgery at Tygerberg Hospital (TBH), Stellenbosch University (SUN), Cape Town. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all salivary gland surgeries performed, between January 2016 and September 2024, was conducted. Incomplete and duplicate files were excluded. Results: A total of 324 specimens were included. Fifty-five point two five per cent (55.25%) of all tumours occurred in the parotid gland, 14.19% in the submandibular gland, and 30.56% in the minor salivary glands. The incidence of benign tumours was 71.02% in the parotid, 78.95% in the submandibular gland, and 46.46% in minor salivary glands. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common tumour, accounting for 53.60%, 78.95%, and 38.38% of all parotid, submandibular, and minor salivary gland tumours respectively. Salivary gland tumours were more common in females and benign tumours occurred statistically significantly earlier compared to malignant tumours in the submandibular (p = 0.008) and minor salivary glands (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study represents the largest single institution series reporting on all salivary gland tumours, it challenges classic teaching dicta and emphasises the importance of loco-regional data contributing to evidence-based medicine.