Malignant Tumors of Salivary Gland Origin

Abstract

Hospital records of 184 patients with primary salivary gland carcinoma were reviewed for a 37-yr. period and the clinical manifestations and results of treatment presented. The data suggest that prognosis and choice of surgical treatment are dependent upon accurate identification of the cell type of salivary gland carcinomas. Survival for 5 to 10 yr. or longer is not unusual, creating a false sense of security regarding local excision or enucleation of malignant tumors of salivary glands. The neoplasms comprise 8 cell types, 4 of which are aggressive and have a poor prognosis and 4 of which are less aggressive though difficult to eradicate. The natural course of most of these tumors is characterized by long duration, repeated local recurrences and frequent metastases to regional lymph nodes and to the lungs. Wide surgical extirpation, the extent a function of tumor type, is the best treatment.