Salivary Gland Cancer

Overview

Mayo Clinic specialists have wide experience in diagnosing and treating salivary gland cancer and benign salivary tumors in adults and children. Each year, more than 200 patients with these rare conditions are treated at Mayo's campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota. Mayo Clinic uses a team approach to provide comprehensive care for salivary gland cancer patients from diagnosis and surgery to postoperative reconstruction and care.

Salivary glands

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At Mayo Clinic patients have access to the full range of specialists needed to treat benign and cancerous salivary gland tumors. The team may include head and neck surgeons, oral surgeons, pathologists, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists as well as pediatric specialists in these fields.

Treatment of salivary gland cancer can affect facial muscles and patients' ability to swallow and speak. Mayo specialists pioneered minimally invasive treatments for salivary gland cancer and use these methods whenever possible to reduce these complications for patients. Mayo specialists also are researching nonsurgical alternatives for treating advanced salivary cancer.

Diagnosis

A thorough physical examination is the first step when a salivary gland cancer is suspected, based on symptoms. symptoms.html MRI or other scans are generally performed to determine a tumor's size and spread. During tumor-removal surgery a pathologist works closely with the surgeon to determine if the tumor is cancerous or benign.

Treatment

Most salivary gland tumors require surgery. Mayo Clinic's care team strives to minimize the effects on your ability to swallow and speak and to preserve your quality of life. After surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy may be needed. In advanced cases, radiation and chemotherapy may be used initially instead of surgery.

At Mayo highly trained surgeons work with other specialists to create a comprehensive treatment plan for each patient. Read more about salivary gland cancer treatment.

• Treatment in Arizona
• Treatment in Florida
• Treatment in Minnesota
• Treatment of Children & Adolescents

About Salivary Gland Cancer

Salivary gland tumors are rare, accounting for just 3 percent of all tumors. They occur on the salivary glands in the mouth, neck and throat. Most salivary gland tumors are not salivary gland cancers. Nearly 80 percent originate in the parotid glands, the salivary glands located in front of the ears. These tumors are sometimes called parotid tumors. Other salivary tumors begin in the salivary glands under the jawbone, beside the tongue or lining the mouth or throat.

Rapid tumor growth or pain and weakness of the facial muscles are likely indicators of salivary gland cancer. Although the exact cause isn't known, tobacco use and exposure to radiation may increase the likelihood of salivary gland tumors.

Read more about salivary gland cancer at MayoClinic.com.