Pleomorphic Adenoma — MFDS Part 1 MCQ
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Correct answer: E — Pleomorphic adenoma
Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common primary salivary gland neoplasm overall and the most common benign salivary gland tumour. Warthin tumour is another common benign tumour but is less frequent. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common primary malignant salivary gland tumour, so option A would apply only if the stem asked specifically about malignancy. Adenoid cystic carcinoma and acinic cell carcinoma are malignant salivary neoplasms but neither is the most common tumour overall. The original key was therefore correct, but the claim that pleomorphic adenoma accounts for 60–70% of all salivary neoplasms was overly broad; that proportion more closely reflects its share of benign tumours in many series.
Reference: McKenzie J, Lockyer J, Singh T, Nguyen E. Salivary gland tumours: an epidemiological review of non-neoplastic and neoplastic pathology. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2023;61(1):12–18. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36623970/