RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Salivary gland tumors comprise three to ten percent of all head and neck tumors. The parotid gland is affected most often (64-80%). Malignant tumors constitute a minority, occurring in 15-32% of cases. Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign tumor, while mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm characterized by the highest incidence. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to conduct a cross-sectional study of all salivary gland tumors diagnosed in a tertiary hospital in the period between 1995 and 2013. METHODS: We reviewed all salivary gland histopathological reports completed at a single institution. Patient demographics and clinical data were analyzed. We used Pearson's chi-square test (χ2) to determine statistical significance for the variables. RESULTS: Neoplastic lesions amounted to 271 cases (37,27%). Pleomorphic adenoma was the most frequent benign tumor, while mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most commonly found malignant tumor. Parotid gland showed a clear, statistically significant (p=0.045) preponderance of benign tumors. Age was the only predictor of malignancy (OR 1.03). CONCLUSION: The present study is in agreement with the current literature regarding the most frequent types of tumors, incidence according to a type of gland and gender.