Malignant epithelial tumors in the minor salivary glands, the submandibular gland, and the sublingual gland: prognostic factors and treatment results
Article Abstract:
Salivary gland tumors occur in remarkable diversity. Since these tumors are uncommon, however, little data have been accumulated documenting how the diverse features of salivary gland tumors may influence the disease prognosis. The parotid gland, one of the salivary glands, accounts for 70 percent of all salivary gland tumors. The submandibular gland accounts for 5 to 10 percent, while the sublingual gland accounts for one percent. From 10 to 15 percent of salivary gland tumors occur in one of the minor salivary glands. About 25 percent of the tumors of the parotid gland are malignant, while 30 to 55 percent of the submandibular gland tumors are malignant. The minor salivary gland tumors are malignant in 40 to 85 percent of cases. From 80 to 90 percent of sublingual tumors are malignant. A review of 95 malignant tumors of salivary glands other than the parotid gland was conducted to determine which factors influence prognosis most strongly. In this series of cases, the submandibular gland was the most common location of the cancer, and accounted for 40 percent of the cases. Most of the salivary gland cancers were of the pathologic form called adenoid cystic carcinoma, with adenocarcinoma the second most common. The overall survival was 62 percent after 5 years and 43 percent after 10 years. The location of the tumor appeared to be unrelated to survival. The stage of the cancer at the time of diagnosis was the most important prognostic indicator. Adenoid cystic carcinoma had a more favorable prognosis than the other forms of cancer observed. Salivary gland cancers can recur after long periods of apparent remission, and therefore patients with these cancers must receive regular follow-up for extended periods of time. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Cancer
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0008-543X
Year: 1991
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Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands: management of recurrent, advanced, or persistent disease with hyperthermia and radiation therapy
Article Abstract:
Adenoid cystic carcinomas of the salivary glands are cancers that have a pronounced tendency for recurrence and metastatic spread. Recurrences and metastatic spread may occur 10 to 15 years after initial treatment. The surgery necessary to control recurrences is sometimes quite disfiguring. Hyperthermia is now being used to treat this cancer with some success in controlling local recurrence. Four patients, with a total of six tumor sites, were treated with radiation and hyperthermia. The hyperthermia technique operates on the same principle as the microwave oven; an antenna is used to broadcast microwaves into the region of the tumor. This energy is absorbed by the tissue and creates heat within the tumor up to 44.2 degrees centigrade. A complete response was achieved by all four patients in all six tumor sites. One patient died of a distant metastatic tumor nine months after treatment, with no sign that the local tumor had recurred. One patient experienced a local recurrence and died 30 months after treatment. The remaining two patients are alive and free of local cancer at 42 and 63 months. The results suggest that hyperthermia may provide additional benefits in the treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Cancer
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0008-543X
Year: 1990
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Treatment of malignant tumors in the parotid glands
Article Abstract:
The parotid glands are the largest of the set of glands that are collectively called the salivary glands. The incidence of cancer of the parotid glands is between 1.2 and 2.0 cases per 100,000 per year in the United States. However, there is much variation in the incidence of this cancer among different countries. For example, parotid cancer is relatively rare in Poland, and more common in Greenland. The treatment of 105 patients in Denmark with parotid gland cancer is reviewed. While these cancers are not common, they are highly aggressive and should not be ignored. The majority of patients die from their disease, but the mortality rate varies depending upon treatment and the stage of the cancer at diagnosis. While the overall survival was 46 percent at five years, patients with stage I disease had a survival rate of roughly 90 percent. Although surgery was traditionally chosen for parotid cancer, irradiation is becoming the treatment of choice. Early diagnosis and treatment result in a far superior prognosis for the patient. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Cancer
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0008-543X
Year: 1990
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