Management of Occult Metastatic Disease From Salivary Gland Neoplasms

Abstract

Evaluating salivary gland neoplasms is difficult because of the relatively low incidence of these lesions, their variable locations, and their multiple histologic cell types. Little has been reported on nodal metastases, whether manifest or occult, from these neoplasms. Ninety cases of salivary gland neoplasm are analyzed to provide a clearer understanding of the appropriate approach to occult salivary gland cervical metastases. Manifest regional metastases at the original presentation were absent in 72% (65/90). Few nodal metastases occurred after the primary tumor was controlled (2% [1/56]). Local recurrence (38% [34/90]) and distant metastases (25% [14/56]) were more common. Stage I and II disease was treated by surgical resection of the primary tumor alone; resection was combined with postoperative radiation therapy for stage III disease. Whenever the neck was entered for stage III disease, a conservative neck dissection was incorporated with the resection to reduce the postoperative irradiation field once the neck had been proved N, O histologically. Delayed nodal metastasis was treated by neck dissection alone.