Salivary gland tumors are abnormal cells growing in the gland or in the tubes (ducts) that drain the salivary glands.
Tumor - salivary duct
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 under both sides of the jaw. Two sublingual glands are under the floor of the mouth. 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:
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:
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.
Ian Ganly is an Otolaryngologist in New York, New York. Dr. Ganly has been practicing medicine for over 33 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Salivary Gland Tumors. He is also highly rated in 34 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Thyroid Cancer, Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer, Salivary Gland Tumors, and Tongue Cancer. He is board certified in Otolaryngology and licensed to treat patients in New York. Dr. Ganly is currently accepting new patients.
Ehab Hanna is an Otolaryngologist and a Surgical Oncologist in Houston, Texas. Dr. Hanna has been practicing medicine for over 40 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Salivary Gland Tumors. He is also highly rated in 38 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Sinus Cancer, Olfactory Neuroblastoma, Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, and Salivary Gland Tumors. He is board certified in Otolaryngology and Surgical Oncology and licensed to treat patients in Texas. Dr. Hanna is currently accepting new patients.
Gregory Weinstein is an Otolaryngologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Weinstein has been practicing medicine for over 37 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Salivary Gland Tumors. He is also highly rated in 31 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Tongue Cancer, Throat Cancer, Laryngeal Cancer, and Salivary Gland Tumors. He is board certified in Otolaryngology and licensed to treat patients in Pennsylvania. Dr. Weinstein is currently accepting new patients.
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:
Contact your provider if you have any of the following:
Published Date : December 08, 2021
Published By : Josef Shargorodsky, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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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 December 20, 2021. Accessed February 16, 2022.
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.