Salivary Gland Tumors

Introduction

• Most commonly occur in the parotid gland
  • generally benign
  • if the tumor involves a non-parotid gland it is more likely to be malignant
• Types
  • pleomorphic adenoma
    • most common tumor
    • more common in females
    • benign with high rate of recurrence but may become malignant
  • Warthin’s tumor
    • benign
    • more common in males
    • heterotopic salivary gland tissue located in a lymph node
    • surrounded by lymphatic tissue
  • mucoepidermoid carcinoma
    • most common malignant tumor
      • note: muco = malignant
    • generally involves parotid gland
    • combination of neoplastic mucus and squamous cells 

Presentation

• Physical exam
  • painless, moveable mass found at the angle of the jaw
    • pleomorphic adenoma
  • disturbance in CN VII function
    • more likely to be malignant pleomorphic adenoma