The firm salivary mass in children

The firm salivary gland mass arising in a child is uncommon, representing only 3.2% of all such salivary tumors at the University of Iowa. However, the fact that 57.1% of these tumors are malignant demands thorough diagnostic evaluation by the head and neck surgeon. Histologic diagnosis is strongly recommended. In view of the fact that most of these tumors have a favorable prognosis, lateral parotid lobectomy or total submandibular gland excision represented both an effective diagnostic and adequate therapeutic procedure for benign and low-grade malignancies. High-grade malignancies necessitate adjunctive therapy which is based on the biologic behavior of the particular histologic type.