Salivary gland cancer

Treatment

At Mayo Clinic, highly trained surgeons work with other specialists to create a comprehensive treatment plan for you. Most salivary gland tumors require surgery. Depending on the type and stage of your salivary gland cancer, your doctor may recommend any combination of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

• Surgery. Surgery may be the only treatment needed if the tumor is benign. Because most salivary gland tumors occur in the parotid gland, the most common surgery needed is parotid gland tumor removal surgery. Surgery can be complicated because several important nerves are located in and around the salivary glands. Mayo Clinic specialists have extensive experience in surgical techniques that reduce the effects of tumor removal on your appearance. Mayo's surgeons are committed to minimizing the size of the surgical incision, preserving the facial nerve and reconstructing the surgery site.
• Radiation therapy. If a tumor is cancerous (malignant), you may need radiation therapy. Mayo Clinic specialists use the latest radiation therapy, including intensity-modulated radiation therapy or stereotactic body radiotherapy. These technologies treat the cancer while limiting radiation to critical healthy tissues such as the eyes, optic nerves, brain, brainstem and spinal cord.
• Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy may be used instead of or in addition to radiation therapy in advanced salivary gland cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
• Physical and reconstructive therapies. After treatment, you may benefit from Mayo Clinic experts who can help if you have trouble speaking, chewing or swallowing. Mayo Clinic's care team also has experience in reconstructive therapies when extensive tissue removal is needed.

Read more about salivary gland cancer treatment.