A retrospective review of malignant minor salivary gland tumors and a proposed protocol for future care.

Malignant tumors affecting minor salivary glands present a wide range of histopathologic types. The present study sought to design a protocol for management of patients with malignancy of minor salivary glands. The data of 22 patients with malignant tumors of the minor salivary glands, surgically treated at our department in the past 10 years, were accumulated and studied. All patients underwent a diagnostic workup prior to surgery. The most useful examinations were magnetic resonance imaging of the head and neck and computerized tomography of the thorax. Wide local excision was sufficient for the majority of patients. Adjuvant treatment is indicated for high-grade, tumor-positive lymph nodes and residual disease. Malignant tumors of minor salivary glands are very rare. Therefore, design of management protocols is challenging. Management of the neck is necessary in evidence of metastasis and in high-grade and advanced-stage disease. Adjuvant treatment should be included in the treatment protocol in certain indications. Most importantly, long-term follow up is very important for all patients with malignant minor salivary tumors.