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. 2012 Feb 16:2012:872982.
doi: 10.5402/2012/872982. Print 2012.

Review of salivary gland neoplasms

Victor Shing Howe To  1 , Jimmy Yu Wai Chan, Raymond K Y Tsang, William I Wei
Affiliations

Review of salivary gland neoplasms

Victor Shing Howe To et al. ISRN Otolaryngol. .

Abstract

Salivary gland tumours most often present as painless enlarging masses. Most are located in the parotid glands and most are benign. The principal hurdle in their management lies in the difficulty in distinguishing benign from malignant tumours. Investigations such as fine needle aspiration cytology and MRI scans provide some useful information, but most cases will require surgical excision as a means of coming to a definitive diagnosis. Benign tumours and early low-grade malignancies can be adequately treated with surgery alone, while more advanced and high-grade tumours with regional lymph node metastasis will require postoperative radiotherapy. The role of chemotherapy remains largely palliative. This paper highlights some of the more important aspects in the management of salivary gland tumours.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
MRI showing right parotid tumour with extension into the deep lobe.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Incision for parotidectomy.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Skin flap raised.
Figure 4
Figure 4
All branches of facial nerve dissected.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Incision for submandibular gland excision.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Gland bed after submandibular gland removal.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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