For malignant tumors, treatment is with excision and radiation. The most common tumors among this group are mucoepidermoid carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma. While neoplasm or tumor growth is possible in each of these structures, the parotid gland is the most frequent site of salivary gland tumor occurrence. Parotid Gland Tumor is more common in the distal portion of the gland presenting as a discrete mass. Other salivary gland conditions. Salivary gland tumors are variable in location, origin, and malignant potential.. Contrary to the head and neck region, benign SGT such as pleomorphic adenomas are exceedingly rare … The most common type of salivary gland tumor (~80% of all salivary gland tumors) is a slow-growing benign tumor in the parotid gland. Salivary gland tumors are abnormal cells growing in the ducts that drain the salivary glands. Symptoms in most patients occur in a duration of less than a year up to several decades. The majority of salivary gland tumors are benign, meaning they are not cancers. The majority (80%) of these neoplasms are benign but are heterogeneous in their ability to recur and/or transform into malignant lesions. Long-term results are related to the grade of the cancer. In general, the ratio of benign to malignant tumors is proportional to the gland size; i.e. the parotid gland tends to have benign neoplasms, the submandibular gland 50:50, and the sublingual glands and accessory glands mostly malignant. There are a variety of benign salivary gland tumors, including: Pleomorphic adenoma (a.k.a. Some types grow fast, and some are slow-growing. Warthin's tumor is the second most common benign tumor of the parotid gland. In patients with malignant salivary gland tumors, factors such as age, high stage, and adverse pathologic features such as intermediate- or high-grade histology, or nerve invasion increase the risk of distant metastases. The parotid glands, located just in front of the ears on each side of the face, are the largest of the three sets of major salivary glands … Cancerous (malignant) tumors are rare in the salivary glands and usually occur between ages 50 to 60. Most salivary gland tumors are benign and occur in the parotid glands. Malignant salivary gland tumors are relatively rare, making up only 6 percent of head and neck cancers. Over 80% of all salivary gland tumors occur within the parotid gland. The abnormal growth typically presents as slow-growing, solitary, unfixed neoplasm in the parotid area, although some are multinodular and fixed. There are also a large number (600-1,000) of minor salivary glands widely distributed throughout the oral mucosa, palate, uvula, floor of the mouth, posterior tongue, retromolar and peritonsillar area, pharynx, larynx and paranasal sinuses. The tumors usually cause a firm, painless swelling in one of the salivary glands, and the size of the swelling gradually increases. A painless salivary mass is the most common sign and is evaluated by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. While most parotid tumors are noncancerous (benign) around 80%, the parotid glands are where nearly 25 percent of cancerous (malignant) salivary gland tumors develop. Salivary gland neoplasms encompass a wide array of different histologies and locations, including the parotid, submandibular gland, sublingual gland, and minor salivary glands of the upper aerodigestive tract. The major salivary glands are the parotid glands, submandibular glands and sublingual glands. Sixty-four is the average age diagnoses are made. Types of benign salivary gland tumors. They do not generally invade adjacent tissues or metastasize, but they can continue to grow and become deforming. Tumors of the parotid gland can be separated into two main categories based on behavior, benign and malignant. Pathology. benign mixed tumors) Pulmonary salivary gland-type tumors (SGT) comprise a very small proportion of primary lung neoplasms. Parotid (salivary gland) tumors occur in individuals of just about any age, however, they become more common as individuals become older. Minor salivary gland tumors are rare. Imaging with CT and MRI can be helpful. It is more common in older men.