17th July 2023

Neoplasm

Approximately 85% of salivary gland neoplasms affect the parotid glands, for which the majority (about 75%) are benign. Tumours in the other salivary glands (sublingual, submandibular and minor salivary glands), however, are more likely to be malignant.

• The most common benign tumour of the salivary glands is a pleomorphic adenoma (≈50% of benign neoplasms). Pleomorphic adenoma, though a benign lesion, has a high malignant transformation rate. In the absence of contraindications, parotidectomy should be performed in patients.
• The most common malignant tumour of the salivary glands is the mucoepidermoid carcinoma (≈30% of malignant neoplasms).

Tumours in the salivary glands may also be secondary to metastases from lymphoma, squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck and melanomas. It is worth noting that patients with Sjögren’s syndrome are at a marked increased risk of lymphoid malignancy (40-60-fold), which frequently occur in the salivary glands.