An analysis of oral and maxillofacial pathology found in adults over a 30-year period

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the range of histologically diagnosed lesions in 44 000 oral and maxillofacial pathology specimens, from adults 17 years and older, submitted for diagnosis to our laboratory over a 30-year period (1973-2002). Materials: All entries for specimens from the patients were retrieved and compiled into 12 diagnostic categories. Results: During the period, 44 007 specimens comprised a male-to-female ratio of 0.9:1. The diagnostic category with the largest number of specimens was mucosal pathology (36.0%) followed by odontogenic cysts (13.8%). Malignant tumours accounted for 5.4% of all specimens and benign tumours 4.6%. Conclusion: This survey showed that while the majority of diagnoses are benign, approximately one in 19 cases required major head and neck surgery for malignant disease.