Clinical behavior of recurrent pleomorphic adenoma in the palate: a systematic review

PURPOSE: This systematic review analyzed the clinical behavior and odds of malignancy of the palatal recurrent pleomorphic adenomas.

METHODS: Systematic review of patients with recurrent pleomorphic adenoma arising in the palate. Database search: MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, EMBASE, Virtual Health Library, Google Scholar, and OpenGrey. A binomial logistic regression was performed to assess the odds of detecting recurrence five, 10 and 20 years after the treatment of primary tumor.

RESULTS: Thirteen studies (n = 18 patients) out of 336 were included. The recurrent pleomorphic adenoma in palate was more common in females (61.6%), average age was 49 years old (range 9-73 years old). Four patients progressed to malignant transformation. The odds ratio (OR) of detecting a recurrence at 10 (OR = 5.57; 95% confidence interval - 95%CI 1.13-27.52), and 20 years (OR = 18.78; 95%CI 3.18-110.84) after treatment of primary pleomorphic adenoma was significantly higher than at one-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence of pleomorphic adenoma in palate remains a rare event of late occurrence. It mainly affects middle-aged female and carries a risk of malignant transformation. Although uncommon, patients with palatal pleomorphic adenoma should be warned about the possibility of recurrence or malignant transformation of tumor at advanced ages.