Objectives: The salivary gland tumor shows heterogeneity in histologic patterns and biological behavior. The aim of this study is to elucidate the relationships between apoptosis and expressions of apoptosis-related factors(bcl-2, bax, M30), p53 and MIB-1 in the salivary gland tumors. Methods: Immunohistochemical stains for apoptosis-related factors, p53 and MIB-1 and TUNEL study for apoptosis were performed in 46 cases of salivary gland tumors 02 benign and 34 malignant). Results: Twenty(43.5%) of 46 cases showed positive reaction for apoptosis, and the expression rates of bcl-2, bax, M30, p53 and MIB-1 were 85.3%, 68.8%, 65.9%, 39.1% and 26.1%, respectively. A significant difference between benign and malignant tumors was only noted in MIB-1 expression(p=0.0167). In malignant tumors, apoptosis showed no significant relationships to expressions of apoptosis-related factors. There were inverse relationships between p53 and bcl-2 expression(p=0.0375), and between M30 and MIB-1 expressions(p=0.0379). No significant differences of apoptosis, bcl-2, bax, M30, p53 and MIB-1 expression rates according to the tumor size, lymph node status, recurrence and survival were found. Conclusion: In the development of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors, apoptosis might be associated, however, apoptosis and expressions of apoptosis-related factors seemed to be not reliable prognostic factors in malignant salivary gland tumors.