Salivary Gland Tumor

Aka: Salivary Gland Tumor, Salivary Gland Neoplasm, Salivary Gland Malignancy, Salivary Gland Malignant Neoplasm, Salivary Gland Carcinoma

advertisement

II. Epidemiology

  1. Incidence: 2-8 per 100,000 people in U.S.
  2. Represent 6% of all head and neck tumors
    1. Rare compared to other Oral Growths
  3. Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors
    1. Adult: Only 16% of Salivary Gland Tumors are malignant
    2. Child: >50% of solid Salivary Gland Tumors are malignant
    3. Malignancies typically form in Submandibular Gland, Sublingual Gland or minor Salivary Glands
      1. Parotid Gland tumors are most often benign

III. Types

  1. Benign (70% of Salivary neoplasms)
    1. Benign Salivary tumors in children are typically pleomorphic adenoma, Hemangioma or lymphatic malformation
    2. Mixed Tumor (Pleomorphic adenoma)
      1. Most Common benign Salivary Gland Tumor (accounts for >50% of cases)
      2. May affect major Salivary Glands (Parotid Gland is most often affected)
      3. May also affect minor Salivary Glands (esp. Palate)
      4. Slow growing, nonulcerated painless tumor
      5. Occurs most commonly in women aged 30 to 60 years
      6. Risk of malignant transformation (excision recommended)
    3. Monomorphic Adenoma
    4. Warthin's Tumor
      1. More common in older men
      2. Associated with Tobacco Abuse
  2. Malignant
    1. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (ages 20 to 50 years)
      1. Presents as low grade tumor in most cases
      2. Excellent prognosis with early treatment
    2. Adenoid cystic carcinoma (age over 50 years)
      1. Predisposition for nerve infiltration (often presents with facial weakness)
      2. Recurrence may occur years after excision
  3. Metastatic
    1. Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
      1. Regional spread from the face or scalp

IV. Findings: Red Flags Suggestive of Salivary Malignancy

  1. History
    1. Intermittent, increasing localized pain and Paresthesias
    2. Prior head and neck Radiation Therapy
    3. Prior skin or Salivary Gland Neoplasm
    4. Rapid increase in size of palpable mass
    5. Sjogren Syndrome
  2. Exam
    1. Facial Nerve paresis or weakness
    2. Non-mobile mass (fixed to surrounding tissue)
    3. Neck Lymphadenopathy
    4. Overlying skin or Mucosal Ulcerations or induration

V. Symptoms

  1. Slow growing, painless Salivary Gland mass

VI. Signs: General

  1. Palpation reveals Salivary Gland Enlargement
  2. Evaluate for associated Cranial Nerve deficit

VII. Signs: Distribution (may affect any of Salivary Glands)

  1. Parotid Gland (typically benign)
  2. Sublingual Gland
  3. Submandibular Gland
  4. Minor Salivary Glands
    1. Especially on posterolateral Hard Palate
    2. Buccal mucosa and lips may also be affected

VIII. Imaging

  1. Ultrasound
  2. Computed Tomography (CT)
  3. MRI Sialography

IX. Diagnosis

  1. Fine Needle Aspirate of Salivary Gland Tumor
    1. Test Sensitivity: 80%

X. Differential Diagnosis

  1. See Salivary Gland Enlargement

XI. Management

  1. ENT referral
  2. Benign Salivary Gland Tumors are typically excised
    1. Risk of recurrence or malignant transformation (esp. if radioresistant)

XII. Prognosis: Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors

  1. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
    1. Excellent prognosis with early treatment
    2. Five year survival dependent on grading: 50-90%
  2. Adenoid cystic carcinoma
    1. Five year survival: 65%
    2. Twenty year survival: 15%

XIII. References

  1. Kim (2024) Am Fam Physician 109(6): 550-9 [PubMed]
  2. Weinberg (2002) Am Fam Physician 65(7):1379-84 [PubMed]
  3. Wilson (2014) Am Fam Physician 89(11): 882-88 [PubMed]

Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)

These images are a random sampling from a Bing search on the term "Salivary Gland Tumor." Click on the image (or right click) to open the source website in a new browser window. Search Bing for all related images

Related Studies

Ontology: Salivary Gland Neoplasms (C0036095)

Definition (NCI) A benign or malignant neoplasm that affects the major or minor salivary glands. Representative examples of benign neoplasms include Warthin tumor, monomorphic adenoma, and pleomorphic adenoma. Representative examples of malignant neoplasms include carcinoma, lymphoma, and sarcoma.
Definition (MSH) Tumors or cancer of the SALIVARY GLANDS.
Definition (CSP) new abnormal salivary gland tissue that grows by excessive cellular division and proliferation more rapidly than normal and continues to grow after the stimuli that initiated the new growth cease.
Concepts Neoplastic Process (T191)
MSH D012468
SnomedCT 235132004
English Gland Neoplasm, Salivary, Gland Neoplasms, Salivary, Neoplasm, Salivary Gland, Neoplasms, Salivary Gland, salivary gland neoplasm, NEOPL SALIVARY GLAND, SALIVARY GLAND NEOPL, neoplasm of salivary gland (diagnosis), neoplasm of salivary gland, Salivary gland neoplasm NOS, Salivary Gland Neoplasms [Disease/Finding], gland salivary tumors, gland salivary tumours, glands salivary tumors, salivary gland tumour, gland salivary tumor, salivary gland tumor, tumor salivary gland, glands neoplasms salivary, glands salivary tumours, Neoplasm of salivary gland, Salivary gland neoplasm, Tumor of salivary gland, Tumour of salivary gland, Tumor of salivary gland (disorder), Salivary Gland Neoplasm, Neoplasm of Salivary Gland, Neoplasm of the Salivary Gland, Salivary Gland Tumor, Tumor of Salivary Gland, Tumor of the Salivary Gland, Salivary Gland Neoplasms
Italian Tumore delle ghiandole salivari, Tumore NAS delle ghiandole salivari, Neoplasie delle ghiandole salivari
Dutch speekselklierneoplasma NAO, speekselklierneoplasma, Gezwel, speekselklier-, Gezwellen, speekselklier-, Speekselkliergezwel, Speekselkliergezwellen
French Tumeur d'une glande salivaire SAI, Tumeur d'une glande salivaire, Tumeurs de la glande salivaire, Tumeurs des glandes salivaires, Tumeurs salivaires
German Neubildung der Speicheldruese NNB, Neubildung der Speicheldruese, Neubildung, Speicheldrüsen-, Speicheldrüsentumoren
Portuguese Neoplasia das glândulas salivares NE, Neoplasia das glândulas salivares, Neoplasias das Glândulas Salivares
Spanish Neoplasia de glándula salival NEOM, tumor de glándula salival (trastorno), tumor de glándula salival, Neoplasia de glándula salival, Neoplasias de las Glándulas Salivales
Japanese 唾液腺新生物ＮＯＳ, ﾀﾞｴｷｾﾝｼﾝｾｲﾌﾞﾂ, ﾀﾞｴｷｾﾝｼﾝｾｲﾌﾞﾂNOS, 唾液腺腫瘍, 唾液腺新生物
Swedish Spottkörteltumörer
Finnish Sylkirauhasten kasvaimet
Russian SLIUNNYKH ZHELEZ NOVOOBRAZOVANIIA, СЛЮННЫХ ЖЕЛЕЗ НОВООБРАЗОВАНИЯ
Czech Novotvar slinné žlázy, Novotvar slinné žlázy NOS, slinné žlázy - nádory, nádory slinných žláz
Croatian Not Translated[Salivary Gland Neoplasms]
Polish Nowotwory ślinianek
Hungarian Nyálmirigy neoplasia, Nyálmirigy neoplasia k.m.n.
Norwegian Spyttkjertelneoplasmer, Spyttkjertelsvulster, Spyttkjerteltumorer
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

Ontology: Malignant neoplasm of salivary gland (C0220636)

Definition (MEDLINEPLUS)

Your salivary glands make saliva - sometimes called spit - and empty it into your mouth through openings called ducts. Saliva makes your food moist, which helps you chew and swallow. It helps you digest your food. It also cleans your mouth and contains antibodies that can kill germs.

Salivary gland cancer is a type of head and neck cancer. It is rare. It may not cause any symptoms, or you could notice

  • A lump in your ear, cheek, jaw, lip, or inside the mouth
  • Fluid draining from your ear
  • Trouble swallowing or opening the mouth widely
  • Numbness, weakness, or pain in your face

Doctors diagnose salivary gland cancer using a physical exam, imaging tests, and a biopsy. Treatment can include surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.

NIH: National Cancer Institute
Definition (NCI) A primary or metastatic malignant neoplasm that affects the major or minor salivary glands. Representative examples include carcinoma, lymphoma, and sarcoma.
Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) A rare cancer that forms in tissues of a salivary gland (gland in the mouth that makes saliva). Most salivary gland cancers occur in older people.
Concepts Neoplastic Process (T191)
MSH D012468
ICD9 142.9
SnomedCT 109828002, 255072001
English Malignant neoplasm of salivary gland, Malig tumor salivary gland, Malig tumour salivary gland, Malignant neoplasm of salivary gland, unspecified, Malignant neoplasm of salivary gland duct, malignant neoplasm of salivary gland (diagnosis), malignant neoplasm of salivary gland, Malignant salivary gland cancer, Salivary gland cancer NOS, Malignant salivary gland neoplasm, Cancer of the Salivary Gland, Cancers, Salivary Gland, Salivary Gland Cancer, Salivary Gland Cancers, malignant tumor of salivary gland, Mal neo salivary NOS, cancer salivary gland, of salivary gland cancer, glands malignant salivary tumors, salivary gland cancers, cancer of salivary gland, cancer glands salivary, of cancer salivary gland, Cancer, Salivary Gland, Salivary gland neoplasms malignant, Salivary glands--Cancer, Salivary gland cancer, CA - Cancer of salivary gland, Cancer of salivary gland, Malignant tumor of salivary gland, Malignant tumour of salivary gland, Malignant tumor of salivary gland (disorder), salivary gland cancer, Malignant Neoplasm of Salivary Gland, Malignant Neoplasm of the Salivary Gland, Malignant Salivary Gland Neoplasm, Malignant Salivary Gland Tumor, Malignant Tumor of Salivary Gland, Malignant Tumor of the Salivary Gland, Cancer of Salivary Gland, Malignant neoplasm of salivary gland NOS
Italian Cancro della ghiandola salivare, Tumori maligni delle ghiandole salivari, Tumore maligno della ghiandola salivare, non specificata, Tumore maligno della ghiandola salivare, Cancro della ghiandola salivare NAS, Cancro delle ghiandole salivari
Dutch speekselklierkanker NAO, maligne neoplasma van de speekselklier, niet-gespecificeerd, maligne speekselklierneoplasma, maligne speekselklierkanker, speekselklierkanker, speekselklierneoplasmata maligne, Speekselklierkanker, Tumor van speekselklier
French Tumeur maligne des glandes salivaires, Tumeur maligne d'une glande salivaire, non précisée, Cancer malin de la glande salivaire, Cancer d'une glande salivaire SAI, Cancer de la glande salivaire, Cancer d'une glande salivaire, Tumeurs malignes des glandes salivaires, Tumeur maligne de la glande salivaire
German boesartige Neubildung der Speicheldruese, Speicheldruesenkarzinom NNB, boesartige Neubildung der Speicheldruese, unspezifisch, boesartiges Speicheldruesenkarzinom, Krebs der Speicheldrüsen, Speicheldruesenkarzinom, Neubildungen der Speicheldruesen boesartig, Speicheldrüsenkrebs
Portuguese Cancro das glândulas salivares NE, Neoplasia maligna das glãndulas salivares NE, Tumor maligno das glândulas salivares, Neoplasia maligna das glândulas salivares, Câncer das Glândulas Salivares, Cancro das glândulas salivares, Neoplasias malignas das glândulas salivares
Spanish Cáncer de glándula salival NEOM, Neoplasia maligna de glándula salival no especificada, Neoplasia maligna de glándula salival, Cáncer maligno de glándula salival, neoplasia maligna del conducto de glándula salival, neoplasia maligna del conducto de glándula salival (trastorno), Cáncer de las Glándulas Salivales, neoplasia maligna del conducto de la glándula salival, cáncer de glándula salival, tumor maligno de glándula salival (trastorno), tumor maligno de glándula salival, Cáncer de glándula salival, Neoplasias malignas de las glándulas salivales
Japanese 悪性唾液腺新生物, 唾液腺悪性新生物、詳細不明, 唾液腺癌ＮＯＳ, 唾液腺癌, ﾀﾞｴｷｾﾝｶﾞﾝ, ｱｸｾｲﾀﾞｴｷｾﾝｼﾝｾｲﾌﾞﾂ, ﾀﾞｴｷｾﾝｱｸｾｲｼﾝｾｲﾌﾞﾂｼｮｳｻｲﾌﾒｲ, ﾀﾞｴｷｾﾝｶﾞﾝNOS
Czech Novotvary slinné žlázy maligní, Maligní nádorové onemocnění slinné žlázy, Maligní novotvar slinné žlázy, Maligní novotvar slinné žlázy, blíže neurčený, Nádorové onemocnění slinné žlázy maligní, Maligní nádor slinné žlázy NOS, slinné žlázy - rakovina, rakovina slinných žláz
Hungarian Nyálmirigy neoplasmák, rosszindulatú, Malignus nyálmirigyrák, Nyálmirigy rák, Nyálmirigy malignus daganata, nem meghatározott, Malignus nyálmirigy daganat, Nyálmirigy rák k.m.n.
Norwegian Spyttkjertelkreft
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

Ontology: Salivary gland carcinoma (C0948750)

Definition (NCI) A carcinoma that arises from the major or minor salivary glands. Representative examples include carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma, adenocarcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, and mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
Concepts Neoplastic Process (T191)
SnomedCT 154437002, 269517003
English Salivary gland carcinoma, carcinoma of salivary gland, carcinoma of salivary gland (diagnosis), carcinoma glands salivary, carcinoma gland salivary, salivary gland carcinoma, Salivary carcinoma, Ca major salivary gland, Salivary Gland Carcinoma, Carcinoma of Salivary Gland, Carcinoma of the Salivary Gland
Dutch speekselkliercarcinoom
French Carcinome de glande salivaire
German Speicheldruesenkarzinom
Italian Carcinoma della ghiandola salivare
Portuguese Carcinoma das glândulas salivares
Spanish Carcinoma de glándula salival
Japanese 唾液腺癌, ﾀﾞｴｷｾﾝｶﾞﾝ
Czech Karcinom slinné žlázy
Hungarian Nyálmirigy-carcinoma
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

Related Topics in Hematology and Oncology

advertisement

2025 Family Practice Notebook, LLC. Terms | Privacy | About | Site Map | Newsletter | Blog

Footer Site Logo