Abstract
Background and aims. Salivary gland tumors are rare and specific lesions. There are differences in the incidence and
frequency of salivary tumors in both minor and major salivary glands in different countries. This study was carried out to
determine the prevalence of major and minor salivary gland tumors in Ahvaz in the south of Iran.
Materials and methods. All the cases, recorded in Imam Khomeyni Hospital and Shafa Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran from
1997 to 2008 were assessed. Age, gender, anatomical location, and histology of all the specimens were evaluated.
Results. Of 112 cases, 84 cases were benign and 28 cases were malignant. Female predominance was observed in these
cases. Most lesions appeared in the third to fifth decades of life (60.71%). The incidence of malignant salivary gland tumors
increased with age and male predominance was found in malignant tumors. The majority of the tumors occurred in parotid
gland. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common histological type (65.17%). Mucoepidermoid carcinoma and adenoid
cystic carcinoma were the most common malignant tumors.
Conclusion. It was shown that the peak incidence age of all salivary gland tumors was the third to fifth decades, and malignant
tumors mostly occurred in the sixth to eighth decades. Female predominance for all the tumors and slight male predominance
in malignant tumors were observed. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common benign tumor. The most common
malignant tumors were mucoepidermoid carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma.