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Benign vs Malignant Salivary Tumour — NDEB AFK MCQ

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ModerateOral SurgeryBenign vs Malignant Salivary TumourNDEB AFK

Which clinical feature most reliably distinguishes a benign from a malignant salivary gland tumour clinically?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: C — Pain, rapid growth, facial nerve involvement, and fixation to underlying structures (malignant features)

While imaging and biopsy are necessary for definitive diagnosis, clinical features suggestive of malignancy in salivary gland tumours include: pain (especially in a previously painless mass), rapid growth, facial nerve involvement (facial paralysis/weakness with parotid tumours), fixation to skin or underlying structures (loss of mobility), cervical lymphadenopathy, and mucosal ulceration. Benign tumours are typically painless, slow-growing, mobile, well-encapsulated, and do not involve the facial nerve. However, some malignant tumours (especially low-grade) can mimic benign behaviour.

Reference: Neville – Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, 4th ed., 2016