Pleomorphic Adenoma of Minor Salivary Glands: A Report of Three Cases and Literature Review

Introduction: Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign tumor of the minor salivary glands. Despite its benign nature, its potential for recurrence and malignant transformation makes it clinically significant. This study aims to describe the epidemiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic characteristics of pleomorphic adenomas of the minor salivary glands and to compare the findings with those reported in the literature. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted over a two-year period (March 2023 to March 2024), involving three patients diagnosed with pleomorphic adenoma of the minor salivary glands. Clinical features, diagnostic imaging, treatment approaches, and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. Results: The study included three patients (1 male, 2 females) with a mean age of 22.7 years. Tumor locations included the hard palate, lower lip, and inner cheek. The average time to diagnosis ranged from 1 to 6 months. In all cases, the clinical presentation was a painless swelling. Diagnostic imaging included soft tissue ultrasound and CT scan. Surgical excision was performed under local anesthesia using a monobloc technique. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of benign pleomorphic adenoma in all cases. One recurrence was observed after 18 months of follow-up. Conclusion: Pleomorphic adenoma is the most frequent histological subtype of benign minor salivary glands tumors and typically exhibits slow progression. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any painless, submucosal lesion in the oral cavity. Complete surgical excision with a 5 mm margin of healthy tissue remains the treatment of choice. Due to the risks of recurrence and malignant transformation, long-term follow-up is essential.