Benign pleomorphic adenomas in children.

Benign pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary glands in children are rare. Reported are 30 patients under the age of 21 years presenting with this neoplasm. Twelve patients were first seen with recurrent or persistent tumor following previous attempts at removal. Retreatment resulted in control of the neoplasm in eight patients with follow-up from 5 to 24 years. Two additional patients have developed malignant degeneration of their neoplasms. All 18 previously untreated patients have remained free of recurrence. As with adults, the treatment of choice for benign pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland developing in children is parotidectomy with preservation of the facial nerve. Tumors arising in the submandibular gland are best treated by complete excision of the gland as well as the tumor.