Retrospective analysis of benign orofacial tumors at a tertiary referral center in Saudi Arabia.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to analyze the prevalence of benign tumors of the orofacial region at a tertiary referral center in the south-western region of Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: Cases from 2009 to 2014 were retrieved from October 2014 to June 2015 from the archives of the histopathology department of the center. Demographic and clinical details of the patients were recorded.

RESULTS: Of the 714 oral and maxillofacial biopsy specimens, 78 (10.9%) were benign tumors. The mean age and range were 34.6±19.8 and 3-85 year, respectively. Sex distribution was equal. Most tumors were mesenchymal (34.6%), followed by epithelial (26.9%), odontogenic (20.5%), and salivary gland tumors (17.9%). Squamous cell papilloma (20.5%) was the most common, followed by pleomorphic adenoma (15.4%) and fibrous tumors (15.4%).

CONCLUSIONS: The low prevalence of benign orofacial tumors found in this study indicates a lack of awareness of the importance of taking biopsy for such lesions. The information reported here emphasizes the need for biopsy investigation for all oral lesions to ascertain appropriate diagnosis.