CHANGING TRENDS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SALIVARY TUMORS

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and computed tomography (CT) or m agnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are useful in the evaluation of saliva ry gland tumors, but they are not essential for treatment planning in every patient. The mainstay of therapy is a well-planned and carefully executed surgical procedure which adequately excises the tumor. Disea se-free survival is very likely in patients with early stage malignant tumors. When treatment is delayed until the tumor is extensive (Stage 3,4), local recurrence and distant metastases are common and survival rates are low. Adjunctive postoperative radiation therapy can enhance locoregional control in the latter patients, but does not invariably lead to better survival. No consistently effective chemotherapy agents or combinations are presently available. Early diagnosis and consiste nt, high quality treatment offer the best hope for improved survival. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.