Malignant salivary tumours

Malignant neoplasms arising in salivary tissue are uncommon. While fewer than 3% of all neoplasms originate in salivary glands (OPCS Cancer Statistics, 1983), at least 75% of these are benign. Most salivary gland tumours are pleomorphic adenomata which, despite their benign nature, pose considerable management problems as they recur locally if inadequately resected, ruptured or biopsied and also because of their potential to undergo carcinomatous change. The malignant character of some salivary tumours has only recently been appreciated as their natural history must be measured in decades rather than years. The slow growth pattern of these tumours does not lessen their malignant nature. Despite treatment they often recur or manifest as metastatic disease at a relatively late stage and thus exert a considerable morbidity and mortality.