Salivary Gland Cancer Treatment: Surgery and Adjuvant Therapies

Salivary gland cancer accounts for 3-12% of tumours in the head and neck region and 2-3% of all body tumours. Most of these tumours (80%) are considered benign, while 20% are malignant. In the treatment of salivary gland cancers, different approaches are used depending on the type, size and stage of the tumour. In general, surgical intervention is the main treatment method, but procedures such as neck dissection can also be performed when needed.

Malignant tumours of the salivary glands are particularly common in the parotid gland and account for approximately 5% of all tumours in the head and neck region. The defining features of these types of cancer include rapid growth of the tumour mass, adhesion to tissues under or around the mass, hardening, indistinguishability from surrounding tissues and an increased risk of facial paralysis in parotid tumours. These findings suggest that malignant tumours are more aggressive and should be carefully evaluated during the examination.

The main principle of salivary gland cancer treatment is to add a neck dissection operation in case it requires a surgical intervention involving removal of the gland according to the degree of spread to the neck determined by the histopathological diagnosis. How much of the salivary gland is removed is determined depending on the underlying diagnosis. During surgery, it is important that the facial nerve is preserved as much as possible, as it has a significant impact on the patient's facial expression and functionality.

In addition to surgical treatment, adjuvant (supportive) treatments such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be considered when the tumour has a positive surgical margin or when risk factors such as nerve and vessel involvement are present. These treatments can help prevent further spread of the tumour and destroy cancer cells.

Salivary gland cancer treatment is customised depending on the patient's personal factors such as the type of tumour, stage and general health status. Determining the most appropriate treatment plan for each patient should be done by a multidisciplinary healthcare team. This team should include specialists such as otolaryngologists, oncologists, radiotherapists and surgeons. Post-treatment follow-up and rehabilitation are also critical for the patient to maintain their best health.