DEFINITION Salivary Gland Cancer or salivary gland cancer is cancer that begins in the salivary glands. This cancer can occur anywhere in the salivary glands, as in the mouth, neck or throat.
The salivary glands produce saliva, which helps digestion and keep the mouth clean. There are three major ludar glands under and behind the jaw - parotid, sublingual, and submandibular. As well as several minor salivary glands in the lips, cheeks and behind in the mouth and throat.
Salivary gland cancer is most common in the parotid gland in the front area of the ear. Treatment for salivary gland cancer may include surgery or radiation therapy is and chemotherapy.
SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of salivary gland cancer include:
- Lump or swelling in the jaw, neck or mouth
- Stiffness in the face
- Muscle weakness on one side of the face
- Pain in the area of salivary gland
- It's hard to swallow
- It's hard to open the mouth wide
Cause
It is not clear what causes salivary gland cancer. Doctors believe the cancer occurs when genetic mutations occur that cause salivary gland cells continue to grow and multiply themselves when normal cells should die. Accumulation of these cells then form a tumor and can spread to other body areas.
Many types of salivary gland cancer include:
- Acinic cell carcinoma
- Adenocarcinoma
- Adenoid cystic carcinoma
- Clear cell carcinoma
- Malignant mixed tumor
- Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
- Oncocytic carcinoma
- Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma
- Salivary duct carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
Factors that may increase the risk of salivary gland cancer include:
- Although salivary gland cancer can occur at any age, but most cases occur in the elderly
- Exposed to the radiation used to treat head and neck cancer
- Working in a polluted environment of certain substances, such as nickel and silica dust.