Malignant tumors of the submaxillary gland

Malignant submaxillary gland tumors are so rare that the clinician may see only a few in a lifetime of practice. No uniform approach to t rea tment of these tumors exists; in fact, surgeons today are in controversy concerning the relative value of radical versus conservative surgical procedures. Since the advent of megavoltage radiation therapy, radiotherapists are re-evaluating the time-honored theory tha t these lesions are resistant to radiation. This paper explores in depth the various facets in the diagnosis, t reatment, and prognosis of malignant submaxillary gland tumors, in an a t tempt to bring order to their proper management .