Malignant Minor Salivary Gland Tumors (Adenoidcystic, Mucoepidermoid, Adenocarcinoma, Low-Grade Polymorphous Adenocarcinoma)

Chapter 17


Malignant Minor Salivary Gland Tumors (Adenoidcystic, Mucoepidermoid, Adenocarcinoma, Low-Grade Polymorphous Adenocarcinoma)


Epidemiology


The same malignancies that arise in the major salivary glands occur in the minor salivary glands. Depending on the series, approximately half of all tumors of minor salivary gland origin are malignant. The most common location is the palate. An interesting paradox is that the smaller the salivary gland, the greater the likelihood that a tumor originating from that gland will be malignant. The incidence of a salivary gland tumor being malignant is substantially greater in the palate than in the parotid.


Clinical Findings


Patients often present with asymptomatic masses that have been present for several months. Pain and ulceration may be present; however, these are not consistent findings.


Pathology


It has been estimated that there are between 500 and 1000 minor salivary glands located throughout the oral cavity and oropharynx. They may be found within the hard and soft palate, uvula, lips, retromolar trigone, tongue base, floor of mouth, and tonsil. The malignancies that constitute minor salivary gland tumors include adenoidcystic carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Many investigators now include low-grade polymorphous adenocarcinoma as a tumor of minor salivary gland origin. The most common malignancy of the minor salivary glands is adenoidcystic carcinoma.


Treatment

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Dec 27, 2015 | Posted by in HEAD & NECK IMAGING | Comments Off on Malignant Minor Salivary Gland Tumors (Adenoidcystic, Mucoepidermoid, Adenocarcinoma, Low-Grade Polymorphous Adenocarcinoma)

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