title: Recent trends in the management of minor salivary gland carcinoma.
abstract: The current management of minor salivary gland cancer is reviewed. These malignancies often present as a submucosal swelling and have been reported at all anatomic subsites of the head and neck. Modern imaging is essential in evaluating the location and the anatomic extent of disease. An incisional or punch biopsy determines the histologic type and grade. Recent advances in molecular biology have yielded diagnostic and potential therapeutic targets that may change our treatment in the future. Complete resection is the treatment of choice. Unfortunately, given the proximity of essential structures, the need to balance functional and cosmetic with oncologic consequences can interfere with an adequate "clear margin." The neck should be treated when there is evidence of regional metastasis or when subclinical metastatic risk exceeds 15%. Surgery alone cures most low-stage, low-grade tumors, all other stages and grades require postoperative radiotherapy. Systemic treatment for locoregional and distant failure remains disappointing.
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Leuven Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology-Head and Neck Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, KULeuven, Belgium; European Salivary Gland Society, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vander Poorten
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.forename: Missak
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haigentz
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rinaldo
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Mendenhall
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Suarez
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Takes
authors.forename: Alfio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferlito
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
keywords: carcinoma; management; minor salivary gland; outcome; salivary gland neoplasms