submandibular salivary gland tumours

Last reviewed 01/2018

The tumours that often occur in the parotid gland - pleomorphic adenoma, cylindroma and carcinoma - may occur in the submandibular gland, but they are rarer. Only 5-10% of all salivary gland tumours occur in the submandibular gland; 50% of them are malignant (1)

In descending order of frequency of occurrence, the tumours in submandibular glands are - adenoidcystic, mucoepidermoid, malignant then benign pleomorphic adenoma, undifferentiated carcinoma (1)

The physical features are almost identical to those in the parotid - hard, fixed masses beneath the mucosa.

Reference:

  • O'Higgins, N.J., Chisholm, G.D., Williamson, R.C.N. (1992). Surgical Management. Butterworth-Heinemann.