Salivary gland tumor medical therapy

Salivary gland tumor Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Salivary gland tumor from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Staging

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Fine-needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB)

Head X Ray

MRI

Ultrasound

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Salivary gland tumor medical therapy On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Salivary gland tumor medical therapy

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Salivary gland tumor medical therapy

CDC on Salivary gland tumor medical therapy

Salivary gland tumor medical therapy in the news

Blogs on Salivary gland tumor medical therapy

Directions to Hospitals Treating Salivary gland tumor

Risk calculators and risk factors for Salivary gland tumor medical therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Simrat Sarai, M.D. [2]

## Overview[edit | edit source]

The optimal therapy for salivary gland tumors depends on the stage at diagnosis. The mainstay of therapy for salivary gland tumors is surgery. External beam radiation therapy may be used following surgery, when surgery is not possible, or would cause significant complications. Chemotherapy is considered when radiation therapy or surgery is refused.[1][2]

## Medical Therapy[edit | edit source]

Surgery is usually done to remove the affected salivary gland. No other treatment is needed, if the tumor is benign. If the tumor is cancerous, radiation therapy or extensive surgery may be needed. Chemotherapy is used when the cancer has spread beyond the salivary glands.[1][2] Treatment plans are designed to meet the unique needs of each person with cancer. Treatment decisions for salivary gland cancer are based on:

* Stage of the cancer
* Grade of the cancer
* Anatomical site of cancer

Treatment options for salivary cancer

* Surgery
* Radiation therapy
* External beam radiation therapy may be used following surgery, or when surgery is not possible or would cause significant complications.
* Chemotherapy
* The role of chemotherapy has not been firmly established, although there is some evidence that it may be effective in treating some salivary gland cancers. It is most often used during clinical trials. Sometimes chemotherapy is used when an individual chooses not to have radiation therapy or surgery. It may also be used for recurrent tumours or for tumors that do not respond to surgery and radiation therapy.
* Follow-up after treatment is finished
* It is important to have regular follow-up visits, especially in the first few years after treatment.
* The following table illustrates the treatment therapy available for salivary gland tumors:[2]

Stage | Grade | Treatment

|
|

Stage I major salivary gland cancer  | Low-grade tumors  | Surgery alone
Postoperative radiation therapy should be considered when the resection margins are positive
High-grade tumors  | Localized high-grade salivary gland tumors that are confined to the gland in which they arise may be cured by radical surgery alone
Postoperative radiation therapy may improve local control and increase survival rates for patients with high-grade tumors, positive surgical margins, or perineural invasion
Stage II major salivary gland cancer  | Low-grade tumors  | Surgery alone or with postoperative radiation therapy, if indicated, is appropriate
Chemotherapy should be considered in special circumstances, such as when radiation therapy or surgery is refused
High-grade tumors  | Localized high-grade salivary gland tumors that are confined to the gland in which they arise may be cured by radical surgery alone
Postoperative radiation therapy may improve local control and increase survival rates for patients with high-grade tumors, positive surgical margins, or perineural invasion
Fast neutron-beam radiation therapy or accelerated hyperfractionated photon-beam schedules reportedly are more effective than conventional x-ray therapy in the treatment of patients with inoperable, unresectable, or recurrent malignant salivary gland tumors
Stage III major salivary gland cancer  | Low-grade tumors  | Surgery alone or with postoperative radiation therapy, if indicated, is appropriate.
Chemotherapy should be considered in special circumstances, such as when radiation or surgery is refused or when tumors are recurrent or nonresponsive
High-grade tumors  | Patients with localized high-grade salivary gland tumors that are confined to the gland in which they arise may be cured by radical surgery alone
Postoperative radiation therapy may improve local control and increase survival rates for patients with high-grade tumors, positive surgical margins, or perineural invasion
Fast neutron-beam radiation therapy or accelerated hyperfractionated photon-beam schedules have been reported to be more effective than conventional x-ray therapy in the treatment of patients with inoperable, unresectable, or recurrent malignant salivary gland tumors
Stage IV major salivary gland cancer  | Standard therapy for patients with tumors that have spread to distant sites is not curative  | Fast neutron-beam radiation therapy or accelerated hyperfractionated photon-beam schedules have been reported to be more effective than conventional x-ray therapy in the treatment of patients with inoperable, unresectable, or recurrent malignant salivary gland tumors
Recurrent major salivary gland cancer  |  | Fast neutron-beam radiation therapy is superior to conventional radiation therapy using x-rays and may be curative in selected patients with recurrent disease

## References[edit | edit source]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Salivary gland cancer. Canadian cancer society(2015)http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/salivary-gland/treatment/?region=sk Accessed on November 8, 2015
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Salivary gland cancer. National cancer institute(2015)http://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/hp/salivary-gland-treatment-pdq#section/_45 Accessed on November 8, 2015

Template:WikiDoc Sources