Head and Neck Cancer

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Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Head and Neck Cancer
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Salivary Gland Cancer Treatment

Major Salivary Glands
The primary treatment of major salivary gland tumors is surgical excision. Postoperative radiation may be featured in treating some parotid gland tumors, as well as tumors with positive margins, advanced stage tumors, tumor spillage, high-grade histology or positive neck nodes. Additionally, all adenoid cystic carcinomas should receive post-operative radiation.

Patients with metastatic disease or those with locally advanced and unresectable disease, usually receive chemotherapy. The chemotherapeutic agents most often employed are combinations of Neosar, Cisplatin and Adriamycin. However, newer drugs such as Taxol, Taxotere, and Gemzar now are being used in combination with the older chemotherapeutic agents.

Minor Salivary Glands
Surgery is the procedure of choice for minor salivary gland tumors. It is unclear, currently, which patients benefit most from postoperative radiation therapy.

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