Distribution and Frequency of Salivary Gland Tumors in A Tertiary Care Institution

Abstract

Background
Salivary gland tumors (SGTs) are a diverse group of neoplasms with a wide range of histological subtypes, which makes diagnosis challenging for pathologists. The present study aimed to describe the distribution and frequency of salivary gland tumors in patients visiting Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study done in the department of pathology at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. One hundred and twenty-seven cases of salivary gland tumors diagnosed between 2020 and 2024 meeting inclusion criteria were included in the study. The cases were classified according to the 2022 WHO classification. The data was entered in an Excel sheet and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21. 
Results
The mean age of the patient was 45.1±18.8 years with a male to female ratio of 1:1.2. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common type of benign SGT, 60 (47.2%), followed by Warthin tumor 15 (11.8%). Mucoepidermoid carcinoma 21 (16.5%) was the most common type of malignant SGT followed by Adenoid cystic carcinoma 15(11.8%). The most common site of occurrence of SGTs was the Parotid gland 82 (64.6%), followed by the minor salivary glands 25 (19.7%) and the Submandibular gland 19 (15.0%). The sublingual gland had the lowest frequency of involvement, 1 (0.8%). 
Conclusions
Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common benign SGT, followed by Warthin tumor. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most common malignant tumor followed by Adenoid cystic carcinoma. The parotid gland was the most common site, followed by minor salivary glands and the submandibular gland, with the sublingual gland being the least common site.