other benign salivary tumours
Last reviewed 01/2018
Less common benign salivary gland tumours include oncocytomas and monomorphic adenomas.
Oncocytomas are composed of large oxyphilic cells called oncocytes. On electron microscopy, the cytoplasm of the oxyphilic cell is packed with mitochondria. They comprise less than 1% of salivary tumours, occur most frequently in the parotid gland and in those over 50 years.
Monomorphic adenomas are very rare. They are usually epithelial in origin but may occasionally, may be derived from myoepithelial tissue. They are most commonly seen in minor salivary glands of the lips in the 60-80 year old age group.
Treatment is by excision. For monomorphic adenomas, an aspiration biopsy should be performed since tumours of the minor salivary glands have a higher likelihood of becoming malignant. A positive result would warrant more radical surgery.