Management of Pediatric Salivary Gland Neoplasms

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Pediatric salivary gland neoplasms are the fourth most common pediatric head and neck tumor. They account for 8% of all pediatric head and neck tumors and present as malignant lesions 50% of the time when vascular lesions are excluded. There are no standardized protocols for the management of salivary gland malignancies in the pediatric population due to a wide variety of presentations and pathologies. Surgical management itself presents various challenges due to the size of the patients and, depending on age, location of the facial nerve. The utilization of post-surgical treatment still remains controversial as well. This panel will involve experts who have multi-disciplinary practices focused on the management of pediatric patients with salivary gland tumors. This discussion will focus on the presentation and management differences and similarities in this population relative to adult tumors. Additionally, this panel will discuss the treatment challenges in this population related to anatomy and varying pathologies.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Discuss the evaluation and management of patients presenting with salivary gland masses

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Discuss the presentation of salivary gland malignancies and how it differs from the adult population

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Discuss the challenges of management of pediatric salivary gland malignancies

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: Pediatric salivary glands neoplasms are rare in children but should always be in the differential when dealing with pediatric facial/neck masses due to the higher malignancy potential in children. This panel will address the diagnosis and management of this disease process.