[Salivary gland tumors].

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pathology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) provides a standard histopathological classification for salivary gland tumors.
• This classification, while widely used, requires clinical modifications for improved patient management.
• Histological characteristics significantly influence tumor behavior, including malignant transformation and metastatic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the need for clinical modifications to the existing WHO salivary gland tumor classification.
• To emphasize the importance of histological assessment in guiding treatment decisions.
• To address the limitations of current preoperative clinical examinations in differentiating tumor grades.

Main Methods:

• Review of current histopathological classification standards for salivary gland tumors.
• Analysis of clinical implications of specific tumor histological features (e.g., pleomorphic adenoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma).
• Evaluation of the efficacy of preoperative diagnostic methods.

Main Results:

• Malignant transformation can occur in benign tumors like pleomorphic adenoma.
• Adenoid cystic carcinoma frequently leads to distant metastasis.
• Current preoperative clinical assessments are often insufficient to distinguish benign from malignant tumors accurately.

Conclusions:

• Treatment strategies for salivary gland tumors must be based on detailed histological characteristics.
• Parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation is suitable for benign, low-grade, and moderate-grade malignant tumors.
• Adjuvant therapies (surgery, irradiation, chemotherapy) are vital for preventing tumor recurrence and metastasis.