types of parotid gland tumors
Most salivary tumors are benign (non- cancerous), but they can also be cancerous. The parotid is the most common gland for salivary tumors to grow. Pleomorphic adenomas are the most common parotid tumor. It grows slowly and is benign.
The vast majority (approximately 80%) of parotid neoplasms are benign; these are discussed in detail in the Medscape Reference article Benign Parotid Tumors. The paired parotid glands are formed as epithelial invaginations into the embryological mesoderm and first appear at approximately 6 weeks gestation.