Management of midcheek masses and tumors of the accessory parotid gland

Tumors of the lateral wall of the mouth have different origins and behaviors. These lesions often arise from salivary tissues, such as the accessory parotid gland, but tumors can also originate from the muscles, buccal fat pad, or other structures. Surgical approaches are limited in this region by the presence of the facial nerve and the Stensen's duct. In this article, we present 9 cases of midcheek masses that were operated on via extra- or intraoral approaches. We discuss the problems related to the diagnosis of such tumors, as well as the indications and rationales for different treatment approaches. © 2011 Mosby, Inc.