American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

What is the most likely classification of a mass in a small salivary gland?

1. Benign

2. Malignant

3. Non-neoplastic

4. Reactive

The correct answer is: Malignant

The most likely classification of a mass in a small salivary gland being malignant reflects the pathology associated with these types of glands. While benign tumors are common in larger salivary glands like the parotid gland, small salivary glands – found in places like the palate and floor of the mouth – have a higher propensity to harbor malignant lesions. The significance lies in the types of tumors that can arise from small salivary glands, which include a variety of malignant neoplasms such as adenoid cystic carcinoma or mucoepidermoid carcinoma. These malignancies can often present as asymptomatic masses, further complicating early diagnosis. Understanding the overall classification trends in salivary gland tumors is pivotal in surgical practice and decision-making. Awareness that malignant tumors are more frequent in the small salivary glands helps guide diagnostic and management strategies, thus making this classification crucial in clinical contexts. Non-neoplastic conditions, while they can occur, are not the primary concern when masses are detected in these glands, and reactive lesions typically refer to inflammation or changes due to irritation rather than forming true masses. Therefore, the classification as malignant for a mass in a small salivary gland aligns with the epidemiological data and clinical experiences observed