Premium
Recent trends in the management of minor salivary gland carcinoma
Author(s) -
Poorten Vincent Vander,
Hunt Jennifer,
Bradley Patrick J.,
Haigentz Missak,
Rinaldo Alessandra,
Mendenhall William M.,
Suarez Carlos,
Silver Carl,
Takes Robert P.,
Ferlito Alfio
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.23249
Subject(s) - medicine , subclinical infection , salivary gland , radiation therapy , head and neck , biopsy , stage (stratigraphy) , head and neck cancer , cancer , carcinoma , metastasis , disease , surgery , radiology , pathology , paleontology , biology
The current management of minor salivary gland cancer is reviewed. These malignancies often present as a submucosal swelling and have been reported at all anatomic subsites of the head and neck. Modern imaging is essential in evaluating the location and the anatomic extent of disease. An incisional or punch biopsy determines the histologic type and grade. Recent advances in molecular biology have yielded diagnostic and potential therapeutic targets that may change our treatment in the future. Complete resection is the treatment of choice. Unfortunately, given the proximity of essential structures, the need to balance functional and cosmetic with oncologic consequences can interfere with an adequate “clear margin.” The neck should be treated when there is evidence of regional metastasis or when subclinical metastatic risk exceeds 15%. Surgery alone cures most low‐stage, low‐grade tumors, all other stages and grades require postoperative radiotherapy. Systemic treatment for locoregional and distant failure remains disappointing. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 444–455, 2014