Diagnosis:
Minor salivary gland neoplasia
• Mucous and serous secretory glands, identical to those of the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual (i.e., major) salivary glands, are present in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, nasopharynx, oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, esophagus, larynx, trachea, and bronchi.
• The neoplastic lesions that arise in these minor salivary glands are of the same histologic types as those that occur in the major salivary glands.
• The reported distribution of these lesions varies according to different series. In most large series, minor salivary gland tumors originate more frequently in the oral cavity (especially the palate), relative to other sites.
• Among the major salivary glands, the parotid gland is the most common site of salivary gland tumors.
• The parotid gland is furthermore the most common site of salivary gland tumors (both benign and malignant lesions) overall.
