ABSTRACT
Tumors of the salivary glands comprise a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with more than 24 different histologic subtypes. The salivary glands are relatively small organs involved in the making of saliva, which is composed of water, electrolytes, digestive enzymes, proteins, and metabolic wastes. Risk factors for salivary gland tumors include exposure to ionizing radiation, rubber product manufacturing, asbestos mining, plumbing, and woodworking. Patients with salivary gland tumors often present with a lump in the area of the ear, cheek, jaw, lip, or inside the mouth; trouble swallowing; drainage from the ipsilateral ear, dysphagia, and trismus; facial paralysis; and persistent facial pain. Complete surgical resection and/or radiotherapy represent the current mainstay treatment options for salivary gland tumors. Early stage tumors in the parotid gland can be usually treated by surgery alone and have a more favorable prognosis than those in the submandibular gland and the sublingual and minor salivary glands.
