From the Research
A hard palate pleomorphic adenoma is a benign tumor that occurs in the minor salivary glands of the hard palate, and the standard treatment is complete surgical excision with clear margins, which may include removal of the overlying mucosa and underlying periosteum or bone if involved, as reported in the most recent study 1. The diagnosis of hard palate pleomorphic adenoma involves clinical examination, imaging (CT or MRI), and a biopsy to confirm the histopathology, with histopathological evaluation being crucial in differentiating this lesion from other tumors 1. Key characteristics of hard palate pleomorphic adenoma include:
- Slow-growing, painless, firm swelling on one side of the hard palate, typically covered by normal or slightly erythematous mucosa
- Most common type of salivary gland neoplasm, accounting for about 40-70% of all salivary gland tumors
- Pseudocapsule with microscopic projections that can lead to recurrence if incompletely removed
- Excellent prognosis with a recurrence rate of less than 10% after proper excision, as reported in a study with a 2-year follow-up 2
- Rare malignant transformation can occur in about 6% of cases, particularly in long-standing tumors, which is why prompt surgical management is recommended 1 The importance of complete surgical excision with clear margins is highlighted by the fact that incomplete removal can lead to recurrence, and the use of computed tomography and correct histopathological diagnosis are essential to enable the establishment of an appropriate surgical treatment 2. Post-surgical follow-up is important to monitor for potential recurrence, and the prognosis is generally excellent with proper treatment, as reported in a study with a 1-year follow-up 3. In terms of management, wide local excision is necessary to prevent recurrence, and the tumor should be removed with adequate clinical margins, including the overlying mucosa and underlying periosteum or bone if involved, as reported in the most recent study 1.