Salivary gland cancer

Salivary gland cancer is a rare type of head and neck cancer that happens when abnormal cells form in the tissues of the salivary glands.

The salivary glands make saliva, which empties into your mouth through ducts. Saliva makes your food moist to help you chew and swallow. It also cleans your mouth and helps you digest food.

Salivary glands anatomy

There are major and minor salivary glands (also called saliva glands) located in the mouth, neck and throat. The three major salivary glands are:

• Submandibular glands: The submandibular glands are at the back of the mouth and on both sides of the jaw.
• Sublingual glands: The sublingual glands are under the tongue and on the floor of the mouth.
• Parotid glands: The parotid glands are the largest salivary glands, and they’re in each cheek, over the lower jaw and in front of the ears.

Additional minor salivary glands are located in the lips, inner cheeks and the lining of the mouth and throat.

Risk factors related to salivary gland cancer

Anyone can develop salivary gland cancer, but it’s more common in men. You’re also more likely to get salivary gland cancer if you:

• Are 55 or older
• Have received radiation therapy on your head or neck
• Smoke or use alcohol frequently
• Work as a plumber or have a job that involves working closely with rubber product manufacturing, asbestos or leatherwork

Symptoms of salivary gland cancer

Salivary gland cancer symptoms may include:

• A firm mass or swelling in the face or neck
• Burning, prickling, tickling or tingling sensation in the face (paresthesia)
• Difficulty moving one side of your face
• Difficulty swallowing
• Numbness or weakness in the face
• Painless swelling of the glands in front of the ears, under the chin or on the floor of the mouth

Diagnosis of salivary gland cancer

Your doctor will give you a physical exam checking your mouth, throat, head and neck for lumps, swelling or other unusual signs. They’ll also ask about your general health habits, symptoms and past illnesses.

Testing related to salivary gland cancer

• MRI: An MRI makes detailed pictures of soft tissues using radio waves and strong magnets.
• CT scan: A CT scan uses X-rays to make detailed cross-sectional images of your body. This scan can show the size, shape and exact location of a tumor.
• PET scan: For a PET scan, a slightly radioactive form of sugar is injected into the blood and collects mainly cancer cells, which show up on pictures taken by the PET machine.
• Biopsy: If cancer is suspected from the imaging tests, your doctor may perform a biopsy to confirm the presence of cancerous tissues. For a biopsy, the doctor removes tissue or fluid from the affected area using a needle or doing surgery to cut into the area.

Salivary gland cancer treatment

Our team of specialists at Advocate will work with you to determine the best course of cancer treatment for you. We’re committed to bringing you the latest, most effective treatments for salivary gland cancer.

Surgery for cancer in the salivary glands

Salivary gland cancer is usually treated with surgery first, and then sometimes followed with radiation and possibly chemotherapy. Surgical cancer treatment may include removing all or part of a salivary gland, several salivary glands or lymph nodes in the neck.

Reconstructive facial surgery is sometimes necessary if a significant part of the facial bones, skin or nerves are removed along with the salivary gland or lymph nodes.

Additional salivary gland cancer treatments

If doctors are unable to remove all the cancer during surgery, they may also use radiation therapy and chemotherapy to treat the cancer.