COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE CLINICAL COURSE AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PLEOMORPHIC ADENOMAS AND ADENOLYMPHOMAS

Benign tumors of the salivary glands, particularly pleomorphic adenomas and adenolymphomas (Warthin tumors), represent a significant portion of head and neck neoplasms. Despite their benign nature, these tumors differ substantially in clinical presentation, biological behavior, and histopathological features. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis of the clinical course and morphological characteristics of pleomorphic adenomas and adenolymphomas. A mixed retrospective and prospective analysis of 102 patients diagnosed with parotid gland tumors was performed. Clinical data, imaging findings, histopathological features, and postoperative outcomes were systematically evaluated. The results demonstrate that pleomorphic adenomas exhibit slower growth but a higher recurrence risk due to pseudopodial extensions, whereas adenolymphomas are characterized by multicentricity and strong association with smoking. Morphologically, pleomorphic adenomas show epithelial-mesenchymal differentiation, while adenolymphomas demonstrate lymphoid stroma and cystic structures. The findings highlight the necessity for differential diagnostic strategies and tailored surgical approaches. The study contributes to improving diagnostic accuracy and optimizing treatment planning in salivary gland pathology.