SALIVARY GLAND TUMOR

 Basic information

description

• A salivary gland tumor is a rare type of growth in the saliva-producing glands. Saliva is the moisture in the mouth that helps with chewing and swallowing. Salivary gland tumors can be benign and slow growing (most often) or cancerous. Older adults are most often affected.
• There are three pairs of major salivary glands:
  • Parotids are the largest. They are located in each cheek, over the jaws, in front of the ears. These glands have the most tumors and the majority are benign.
  • Submandibulars are located at the back of the mouth on both sides of the jaw. They have fewer tumors and about half of them are benign.
  • Sublinguals are located under the floor of the mouth. Tumors are rare in these glands.
• There are also hundreds of minor salivary glands that are microscopic in size. Tumors in these glands are uncommon, but they are less often benign.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• There may be no symptoms. It may be found during a routine exam.
• A soft or firm mass that gradually increases in size in the jaw or in the floor of the mouth. There may be pain, tenderness, or swelling.
• Trouble swallowing or opening mouth widely.
• Face may have numbness or weakness.

causes

Unknown. Environmental and genetic factors may play a role.

risk increases with

• Older adults.
• Radiation therapy to the head or neck.
• Exposure to certain substances in the workplace.
• Tobacco use may be a risk factor.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

None specific. To reduce your risks—avoid smoking, limit radiation therapy when possible, and have your health care or dental care provider check your salivary glands during routine checkups.

expected outcomes

• Tumors with cancer cells are often cured with surgery and radiation treatment. Outcome depends on the stage and type of cancer and the patient's health.
• Tumors that are not cancerous are usually cured with surgery alone.

possible complications

• Infection or bleeding at the surgical site.
• Rarely, surgery may injure the facial nerve causing loss of control of facial muscles. Other nerve injury may affect your speech or swallowing.
• Cancer may recur or spread to other body tissues.

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Your health care provider will do a physical exam of the head, neck, mouth, and throat. Medical tests may include blood studies, CT, or MRI. A fine needle aspiration biopsy removes tumor cells that are then examined under a microscope. If cancer is found, other tests help determine the cancer type, grade, and stage.
• Surgery is the usual treatment for a benign or cancerous tumor. Your health care provider will discuss your options with you. It often involves removing the salivary gland in which the tumor is located. Sometimes, the surrounding bone and tissue or lymph nodes are removed also. Reconstruction surgery may be needed.
• Radiation therapy may be used to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing.

medications

• Anticancer drugs (chemotherapy) are not standard treatment for salivary gland cancer, but may be used if cancer has spread.
• Your health care provider may prescribe pain medicine or drugs for any infection.

activity

• Resume your normal activities gradually after surgery.
• Physical therapy or speech therapy may be needed after extensive surgery.

diet

After surgery, a liquid diet may be needed for a short time until your mouth heals.

 notify our office if

• You or a family member has symptoms of a salivary gland tumor.
• After surgery, signs of infection occur in your mouth, such as feeling warmer or tender, redness, pain, and swelling.
• Symptoms recur after treatment.

Special Notes: