Systemic Therapy for Salivary Gland Cancer

Abstract

Salivary gland tumors are a group of heterogeneous neoplasms that constitute less than 1% of all cancers diagnosed globally (WHO 2005). The behavior of these tumors varies widely depending on their location, histology, and tumor biology. The tumors can involve both the major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, and sublingual) and the minor salivary glands. The most common location is the parotid gland, which accounts for approximately 80% of all the salivary gland tumors (Guzzo, et al. 2010). Tumors involving the minor salivary glands are rare but are also more likely to be malignant. Salivary gland tumors include both benign and malignant neoplasms and they are classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO) system (WHO