Abstract

Pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland is described as a slow growing painless benign tumor characterized histologically by its mixed appearance with epithelial and myoepithelial components. It occurs in both the major and minor salivary glands with the parotid gland as the commonest site for the major gland while the palate is the commonest site for the minor glands. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical presentation of pleomorphic adenoma seen in the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria. Records of all the patients with pleomorphic adenoma seen in the clinics within a six year period (January 2009 to December 2014) were retrospectively reviewed. Relevant information retrieved from the patients’ file. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23; qualitative variables were compared using chi-square test. A total of 37 cases (prevalence = 41.1%) of pleomorphic adenoma of the major and minor salivary gland met the required criteria for inclusion in the study. Majority of the cases occurred in females. The mean age of the patients was 38.2 and standard deviation was 16.4. The mean duration of the tumor at presentation was 39.4 months. Parotid gland was the commonest site. Postoperative complication seen was facial nerve palsy. Most of the tumors occurred on the left side. Pleomorphic adenoma present as a painless swelling is seen more in our environment among women. The peak age of occurrence is in the 4th decade of life. Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment. Many of the patients presented years after the onset of tumor growth.

Key words: Pleomorphic adenoma, salivary gland, benign tumors.