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Salivary Gland Tumor
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Salivary Gland Tumor
, Salivary Gland Neoplasm
See Also
Salivary Gland
Anatomy of the Head and Neck
Sialadenitis
Sialolithiasis
Epidemiology
Incidence
: 2-8 per 100,000 people in U.S.
Represent 6% of all head and neck tumors
Rare compared to other
Oral Growth
s
Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors
Adult: Only 16% of Salivary Gland Tumors are malignant
Child: >50% of solid Salivary Gland Tumors are malignant
Malignancies typically form in
Submandibular Gland
,
Sublingual Gland
or minor
Salivary Gland
s
Parotid Gland
tumors are most often benign
Types
Benign
Benign
Saliva
ry tumors in children are typically pleomorphic adenoma,
Hemangioma
or lymphatic malformation
Mixed Tumor (Pleomorphic adenoma)
Most Common benign Salivary Gland Tumor (accounts for >50% of cases)
May affect major
Salivary Gland
s (
Parotid Gland
is most often affected)
May also affect minor
Salivary Gland
s (esp.
Palate
)
Slow growing, nonulcerated painless tumor
Occurs most commonly in women aged 30 to 60 years
Risk of malignant transformation (excision recommended)
Monomorphic Adenoma
Warthin's Tumor
More common in older men
Associated with
Tobacco Abuse
Malignant
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (ages 20 to 50 years)
Presents as low grade tumor in most cases
Excellent prognosis with early treatment
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (age over 50 years)
Predisposition for nerve infiltration (often presents with facial weakness)
Recurrence may occur years after excision
Metastatic
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Regional spread from the face or scalp
Signs
Findings suggestive of malignancy
Salivary Gland
pain
Facial paresis
Non-mobile mass (fixed to surrounding tissue)
Neck
Lymphadenopathy
Locations
May affect any of
Salivary Gland
s
Parotid Gland
(typically benign)
Sublingual Gland
Submandibular Gland
Minor
Salivary Gland
s
Especially on posterolateral
Hard Palate
Buccal mucosa
and lips may also be affected
Symptoms
Slow growing, painless
Salivary Gland
mass
Signs
Palpation reveals
Salivary Gland Enlargement
Diagnosis
Fine Needle Aspirate of Salivary Gland Tumor
Imaging
Ultrasound
Computed Tomography (CT)
MRI
Management
Benign Salivary Gland Tumors are typically excised due to risk of recurrence or malignant transformation (esp. if radioresistant)
Prognosis
Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Excellent prognosis with early treatment
Five year survival dependent on grading: 50-90%
Adenoid cystic carcinoma
Five year survival: 65%
Twenty year survival: 15%
Reference
Weinberg (2002) Am Fam Physician 65(7):1379-84 [PubMed]
Wilson (2014) Am Fam Physician 89(11): 882-88 [PubMed]
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