Salivary Gland Tumors Overview
Learn About Salivary Gland Tumors
Salivary gland tumors are abnormal cells growing in the gland or in the tubes (ducts) that drain the salivary glands.
Tumor - salivary duct
Common conditions include: Acinic Cell Carcinoma of Salivary Glands
The salivary glands are located around the mouth. They produce saliva, which moistens food to help with chewing and swallowing. Saliva also helps to protect teeth from decay.
There are 3 main pairs of salivary glands. The parotid glands are the largest. They are located in each cheek in front of the ears. Two submandibular glands are under the floor of the mouth on both sides of the back of the jaw. Two sublingual glands are under the floor of the mouth next to the jaw on each side. There are also hundreds of small salivary glands lining the rest of the mouth. These are called the minor salivary glands.
Salivary glands empty saliva into the mouth through ducts that open at various places in the mouth.
Salivary gland tumors are rare. Swelling of the salivary glands is mostly due to:
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Other cancers
- Salivary duct stones
- Salivary gland infections
- Dehydration
- Sarcoidosis
- Sjögren syndrome
The most common type of salivary gland tumor is a slow-growing noncancerous (benign) tumor of the parotid gland. The tumor gradually increases the size of the gland. Some of these tumors can be cancerous (malignant).
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Firm, usually painless swelling in one of the salivary glands (in front of the ears, under the chin, or on the floor of the mouth). The swelling gradually increases.
- Difficulty moving one side of the face, known as facial nerve palsy.
Surgery is most often done to remove the affected salivary gland. If the tumor is benign, no other treatment is needed.
Radiation therapy or extensive surgery may be needed if the tumor is cancerous. Chemotherapy may be used when the disease has spread beyond the salivary glands.
North Shore - Lij Medical PC
John Ames is a Radiation Oncologist in Bay Shore, New York. Dr. Ames and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Salivary Gland Tumors. His top areas of expertise are Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, Anal Cancer, Acinic Cell Carcinoma of Salivary Glands, and Pleuropulmonary Blastoma.
Mskcc Regional Network
Wanqing Zhi is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and an Oncologist in Commack, New York. Dr. Zhi and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Salivary Gland Tumors. Her top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Paget Disease of the Breast, and Angiosarcoma.
Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center
Johnny Kao is a Radiation Oncologist in West Islip, New York. Dr. Kao and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Salivary Gland Tumors. His top areas of expertise are Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), Lung Cancer, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, and ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
Most salivary gland tumors are noncancerous and slow growing. Removing the tumor with surgery often cures the condition. In rare cases, the tumor is cancerous and further treatment is needed.
Complications from the cancer or its treatment may include:
- Spread of the cancer to other organs (metastasis).
- In rare cases, injury during surgery to the nerve that controls movement of the face.
Contact your provider if you have any of the following:
- Pain when eating or chewing
- You notice a lump in the mouth, under the jaw, or in the neck that does not go away in 2 to 3 weeks or is getting larger
Summary: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zanidatamab for the treatment of participants with previously treated solid tumors that have Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) Immunohistochemistry (IHC) 3+ overexpression.
Summary: The dose escalation phase of this trial identifies the safety, side effects and best dose of ceralasertib (AZD6738) when given in combination with trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a) in treating patients with solid tumors that have a change (mutation) in the HER2 gene or protein and have spread to other places in the body (advanced). The dose expansion phase (phase Ib) of this trial compares how col...
Published Date: December 31, 2023
Published By: Josef Shargorodsky, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Jackson NM, Mitchell JL, Walvekar RR. Inflammatory disorders of the salivary glands. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 83.
National Cancer Institute website. Salivary gland cancer treatment (adult) (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/hp/adult/salivary-gland-treatment-pdq. Updated August 22, 2023. Accessed January 17, 2024.
Wang JR, Bell DM, Hanna EY. Benign neoplasms of the salivary glands. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 84.