Salivary gland tumors

Abstract

In a 20-yr-old survey of 270 cases of salivary gland tumors it was found that 80% of the cases were operated on up to half a year after the onset of symptoms, due to unwarranted conservative treatment and futile attempts to reach an exact preoperative diagnosis. With regard to large salivary glands, it is the authors' impression that sialography, wedge biopsies and needle biopsies were generally noncontributory in the management of these tumors. These procedures only postpone ultimate surgical intervention and probably increase the risk of further growth and spread of the disease. The patients should be operated on without undue delay and the histological diagnosis would be arrived at during surgery, if possible.