All cases of pleomorphic salivary adenoma treated at the West of Scotland Regional Plastic and Oral Surgery Unit, Canniesburn Hospital, over the 10-year period 1974-1983 have been reviewed. Nearly one-fifth of patients were treated for recurrence. These patients presented with their primary tumour at a significantly younger age (p less than 0.001) than those who remained disease-free. Sixteen of 31 who subsequently developed recurrence were under 30 years of age at initial presentation. Of all patients under 30 years of age at first presentation, 42% subsequently developed recurrent diseases.