Year : 2015

Volume : Volume 5

Issue : Issue 3

Abstract

Background:  In head and neck region salivary gland tumors represents 1%to 3% of all the neoplasms of head and neck and these tumors are comparatively uncommon. Salivary gland tumours grows as painless lump and most of the tumours are benign and located in parotid gland. Approximate 80% tumors that originate from minor salivary gland are malignant whereas 80% of major salivary gland are benign. The management of salivary gland disease forms a considerable part of the work done by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The principal problem 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 lowgrade malignancies can be adequately treated with surgery alone, while more advanced and high-grade tumours with regional lymph node metastasis will require postoperative radiotherapy. This paper highlights some of the more important aspects in the management of salivary gland tumours.

Keywords: Salivary gland tumors, parotid gland; submandibular gland; sublingual gland, surgery.