Irradiation-induced polyglandular neoplasia of the head and neck

Eighteen patients are presented with twenty-one tumors of the head and neck, which include ten salivary gland tumors and eight parathyroid adenomas. Eight of the patients also had thyroid neoplasms. All patients had a history of prior irradiation to the head and neck. Seventy per cent of the salivary gland tumors and 37 per cent of the thyroid tumors were malignant. Recommendations are made for detection and treatment.