Salivary gland cancer

Salivary gland cancer is a rare type of cancer that begins in the salivary glands. Salivary glands produce saliva, which aids in digestion, keeps your mouth moist and supports healthy teeth. There are several types of salivary glands, including three pairs of major salivary glands, known as the parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands. Salivary gland cancer most commonly occurs in the parotid gland, which sits just in front of the ears.

Symptoms

Symptoms of salivary gland cancer can include:

• A lump or swelling on or near your jaw or in your neck or mouth
• Numbness in part of your face
• Muscle weakness on one side of your face
• Persistent pain in the area of a salivary gland
• Difficulty swallowing
• Trouble opening your mouth widely

Causes

It's not clear what causes salivary gland cancer. Salivary gland cancer occurs when some cells in a salivary gland develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do. The changes tell the cells to grow and divide rapidly. The accumulating abnormal cells form a tumor that can invade nearby structures and spread to other parts of the body.

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose salivary gland cancer include:

• Physical exam: Your doctor will feel your jaw, neck and throat for lumps or swelling.
• Imaging tests: Imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET), may help determine the size and location of your cancer.
• Removing a sample of tissue for testing (biopsy): Your doctor may remove a sample of tissue from the salivary gland or from a lymph node to test for cancer cells.

Treatment

Treatment for salivary gland cancer depends on the type, size and stage of salivary gland cancer you have, as well as your overall health and your preferences. Treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy or a combination of treatments.

Salivary gland cancer Resources
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