Current landscape and future trends in salivary gland oncology research-a bibliometric evaluation

Background: The salivary glands are susceptible to both endogenous and exogenous influences, potentially resulting in the development of oncology. With the wide application of various technologies, research in this area has experienced rapid growth. Therefore, researchers must identify and characterize the current research hot topics to grasp the forefront of developments in the dynamic field of salivary gland oncology. The objective of this study was to thoroughly assess the current status and identify potential future research directions in salivary gland oncology. Methods: The relevant salivary gland oncology dataset was obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database. Subsequently, VoSviewer and CiteSpace were employed for further evaluation. Results: A total of 9,695 manuscripts were extracted and downloaded from the WOSCC database. Our findings revealed a substantial surge in research volume over the past 12 years. The researchers' analysis revealed that Abbas Agami showed unparalleled dedication, with over 180 publications, and that RH Spiro had the highest cocitation count, confirming its status as a key figure in the field. The detection of bursts in secretory carcinoma and the integration of artificial intelligence in salivary oncology have attracted increasing interest. Notably, there is a discernible trend towards increased research engagement in the study of salivary gland malignancies. Conclusions: This study not only evaluated the current research landscape in salivary gland oncology but also anticipates future trends. These insights could contribute to the advancement of knowledge and policymaking in salivary gland oncology.