The pattern of presentation of salivary gland tumors in Africa: A review of published reports.

Salivary glands are the site of a wide variety of histopathologic types of benign and malignant tumors. The author reviewed 23 articles from 12 African countries published between 1980 and 2004 to examine patterns of salivary gland tumors. These neoplasms represent a significant health problem in Africa. The author found that patterns of presentation are different from those seen in Western countries; for example, African patients are generally younger at presentation. Also, there may be a female preponderance in Africa, and Warthin tumor is rare.