In our study, 3461 cases of salivary gland tumor treated between 1955 and 2002 at West China Stomatology Hospital of Sichuan University were retrospectively analyzed, and compared with the previous reports. Measures such as age, tumor location, tumor histological type, and the nature of the growth (benign or malignant) were recorded at the same time. The findings are as follows: the average ages of salivary gland tumor patients were 41.38 years for the benign cases and 45.20 for the malignant ones; the male:female ratio was 0. 99:1 in the benign cases and 1.34:1 in the malignant ones; primary tumors were mostly in the parotid gland, palate and submandibular gland in sequence. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most frequent benign tumor followed by Warthin's tumor and basal cell adenoma, whereas mucoepidermoid carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma and adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified were the most frequent malignant tumors. The incidence of salivary gland tumors increased with age. The male:female ratio of malignant tumors was higher than that of benign ones. The parotid gland and palate were the most common locations of salivary gland tumors. Pleomorphic adenoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma were the most frequent benign and malignant tumors, respectively.