Major Salivary Gland Tumors; A Review of 79 Patients

Abstract

From 1986 to 1992, we treated 79 patients with tumors of major salivary glands. We review here the histopathology, age, sex, time between onset and admission, tumor size, surgical procedure, postoperative complications, and incidence of recurrence.
There were 71 parotid gland tumors and 8 submandibular gland tumors. Of the parotid gland tumors, 24%, and of the submandibular gland tumors, 25% were malignant.
The most common benign tumor in both the parotid and the submandibular glands was pleomorphic adenoma. Adenoid cystic carcinoma was the most common malignant tumor in both glands.
Patients with malignant tumors complained more often of spontaneous pain and facial nerve palsy. Pain and facial palsy are significant differential features between benign and malignant tumors, although a few benign tumors caused spontaneous pain or difficulty opening the mouth because of inflammation. We should not mistake such cases for malignancy. We think fine needle aspiration cytology and intraoperative pathological examination are useful in making decisions about surgical procedures.
Postoperative facial nerve palsy was more frequent after removal of malignant than of benign tumors, since the facial nerve must be cut if it is invaded by a malignant tumor.
We performed nerve grafts and static suspensions, but a more sophisticated way to restore facial movement is necessary.