Salivary gland cancers: current treatments, molecular characteristics and new therapies.
Salivary gland cancers are relatively rare and quite diverse. Current therapy relies on local ablation. There are few large clinical trials or randomized trials to guide treatment, especially for metastatic disease. This article reviews the epidemiology, staging, molecular characteristics, and treatment evidence for the most common types of salivary cancers and suggests potential future diagnostic and treatment directions. Progress in understanding the molecular and cell biology of salivary gland cancers may lead to the development of targeted therapies in these rare tumors. Multidisciplinary and multi-institutional collaborative studies are needed to help improve survival in salivary gland cancers.
Chandana
Sreenivasa R
SR
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Michigan State University, Breslin Cancer Center 401, W. Greenlawn Avenue, Lansing, MI, USA. sreenivasa.chandana@ht.msu.edu
Conley
Barbara A
BA
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery; D018277:Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery