Salivary gland cancer starts in one of the salivary glands. It’s not just one disease. There are actually several different salivary glands found inside and near your mouth. Many types of cancer and benign (non-cancerous) tumors can develop in these glands.

There are 3 sets of major salivary glands on each side of the face:

• The parotid glands, the largest salivary glands, are just in front of the ears. About 7 out of 10 salivary gland tumors start here. Most of these tumors are benign, but the parotid glands still are where most malignant salivary gland tumors start.
• The submandibular glands are smaller and are below the jaw. They secrete saliva under the tongue. About 1 to 2 out of 10 tumors start in these glands, and about half of these tumors are cancer.
• The sublingual glands, which are the smallest, are under the floor of the mouth and below either side of the tongue. Tumors starting in these glands are rare.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be changed. Others, like a person’s age or family history, can’t be changed.

But having a risk factor, or even many risk factors, does not mean that you will get the disease. And many people who get the disease may have few or no known risk factors.

A few risk factors are known to make a person more likely to develop salivary gland cancer.

Signs and Symptoms of Salivary Gland Cancer

The major salivary glands are on each side of the face and below the tongue. Several important nerves and other structures run through or near salivary glands and can be affected by salivary tumors.

Possible signs and symptoms of salivary gland cancer include:

• A lump or swelling in your mouth, cheek, jaw, or neck
• Pain in your mouth, cheek, jaw, ear, or neck that does not go away
• A difference between the size and/or shape of the left and right sides of your face or neck
• Numbness in part of your face
• Weakness of the muscles on one side of your face
• Trouble opening your mouth widely
• Fluid draining from an ear
• Trouble swallowing

Many of these signs and symptoms can also be caused by benign salivary gland tumors or by other conditions. Still, if you have any of these problems, it’s important to see your doctor right away so the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

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Journal of Surgical Pathology and Diagnosis