Overview

Salivary gland tumors are rare types of tumors that begin in the salivary glands.

Salivary gland tumors can begin in any of the salivary glands in your mouth, neck or throat. Salivary glands make saliva, which aids in digestion, keeps your mouth moist and supports healthy teeth.

You have three pairs of major salivary glands under and behind your jaw — parotid, sublingual and submandibular. Many other tiny salivary glands are in your lips, inside your cheeks, and throughout your mouth and throat.

Salivary gland tumors most commonly occur in the parotid gland, accounting for nearly 85 percent of all salivary gland tumors. Approximately 25 percent of parotid tumors are cancerous (malignant).

Treatment for salivary gland tumors often involves surgery. Treatments for salivary gland tumors may also include radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of a salivary gland tumor may include:

• A lump or swelling on or near your jaw or in your neck or mouth
• Numbness in part of your face
• Muscle weakness on one side of your face
• Persistent pain in the area of a salivary gland
• Difficulty swallowing
• Trouble opening your mouth widely

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you.

Having a lump or an area of swelling near your salivary gland is the most common sign of a salivary gland tumor, but it doesn't mean you have cancer. Most salivary gland tumors are noncancerous (benign). Many other noncancerous conditions may lead to a swollen salivary gland, including an infection or a stone in a salivary gland duct.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Causes

Salivary gland tumors are rare, accounting for less than 10 percent of all head and neck tumors. It's not clear what causes salivary gland tumors.

Doctors know salivary gland cancer occurs when some cells in a salivary gland develop mutations in their DNA. The mutations allow the cells to grow and divide rapidly. The mutated cells continue living when other cells would die. The accumulating cells form a tumor that can invade nearby tissue. Cancerous cells can break off and spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body.

Types of salivary gland tumors

Many different types of salivary gland tumors exist. Doctors classify salivary gland tumors based on the type of cells involved in the tumors. Knowing the type of salivary gland tumor you have helps your doctor determine which treatment options are best for you.

The most common benign salivary gland tumor is a pleomorphic adenoma. This is typically a slow-growing tumor that occurs most often in the parotid gland. Other benign salivary gland tumors include:

• Basal cell adenoma
• Oncocytoma
• Warthin tumor

Types of malignant salivary gland tumors 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

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose salivary gland tumors include:

• A physical exam. Your doctor will feel your jaw, neck and throat for lumps or swelling.
• Imaging tests. Imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT), may help your doctor determine the size and location of your salivary gland tumor.
• Collection of a sample of tissue for testing. Your doctor may recommend collecting a sample of tissue (biopsy) for laboratory testing to determine if the tumor is cancerous. During an aspiration biopsy, the doctor inserts a needle into the suspicious area and draws out fluid or cells. Salivary gland tumors are also analyzed in the laboratory after surgery to confirm the diagnosis.

Determining the extent of salivary gland cancer

If you're diagnosed with having salivary gland cancer, your doctor will determine the extent (stage) of your cancer. Your cancer's stage determines your treatment options and gives your doctor an idea of your prognosis.

Cancer stages are identified by Roman numerals, with stage I indicating a small, localized tumor and stage IV indicating an advanced cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes in the neck or to distant parts of the body.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Alternative medicine

No complementary or alternative medicine treatments can cure salivary gland tumors. If you're diagnosed with having salivary gland cancer, complementary and alternative medicine treatments may help you cope with the side effects of cancer treatment.

Complementary treatments for fatigue

Many people undergoing radiation therapy for cancer experience fatigue. Your doctor can treat underlying causes of fatigue, but the feeling of being utterly worn out may persist despite treatments.

Complementary therapies can help you cope with fatigue. Ask your doctor about trying:

• Exercise. Try gentle exercise for 30 minutes on most days of the week. Moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, during and after cancer treatment reduces fatigue. Talk to your doctor before you begin exercising, to make sure it's safe for you.
• Massage therapy. During a massage, a massage therapist uses his or her hands to apply pressure to your skin and muscles. Some massage therapists are specially trained to work with people who have cancer. Ask your doctor for names of massage therapists in your community.
• Relaxation. Activities that help you feel relaxed may help you cope. Try listening to music or writing in a journal.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Lifestyle and home remedies

Coping with dry mouth

People who undergo radiation therapy to the head and neck area often experience very dry mouth (xerostomia). Having a dry mouth can be uncomfortable. It can also lead to frequent infections in your mouth, cavities and problems with your teeth, and difficulty eating, swallowing and speaking.

You may find some relief from dry mouth and its complications if you:

• Brush your teeth several times each day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gently brush your teeth several times each day. Tell your doctor if your mouth becomes too sensitive to tolerate gentle brushing.
• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water after meals. Make a mild solution of warm water and salt. Rinse your mouth with this solution after each meal.
• Keep your mouth moistened with water or sugarless candies. Drink water throughout the day to keep your mouth moistened. Also try sugarless gum or sugarless candies to stimulate your mouth to produce saliva.
• Choose moist foods. Avoid dry foods. Moisten dry food with sauce, gravy, broth, butter or milk.
• Avoid acidic or spicy foods and drinks. Choose foods and drinks that won't irritate your mouth. Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.

Tell your doctor if you have dry mouth. Treatments may help you cope with more-severe signs and symptoms of dry mouth. Your doctor may also refer you to a dietitian who can help you find foods that are easier to eat if you're experiencing dry mouth.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Coping and support

Learning you have a salivary gland tumor can be frightening. Each person deals with this diagnosis in his or her own way. With time you'll discover ways of coping that work for you. Until then, you might find some comfort if you:

• Learn enough to feel comfortable making treatment decisions. Ask your doctor for details about your tumor — the type, stage and treatment options. The more you know, the more comfortable you may feel when making treatment decisions.

  If you have salivary gland cancer, ask your doctor to recommend reliable sources of information where you can learn more. Good places to start include the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.

• Ask friends and family to be your support system. Your close friends and family can provide a support system that can help you cope during treatment. They can help you with the small tasks you may not have the energy for during treatment. And they can be there to listen when you need to talk.

• Connect with others. Other people who've had salivary gland tumors can offer unique support and insight because they understand what you're experiencing. Connect with others through support groups in your community.

  If you have salivary gland cancer, ask your doctor about support groups or contact your local chapter of the American Cancer Society. Online support groups also are available.

• Take care of yourself during treatment. Get enough rest each night so that you wake feeling rested. Try to exercise when you feel up to it. Choose a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of salivary gland tumors include:

• Older age. Though salivary gland tumors can occur at any age, they most commonly occur in older adults.
• Radiation exposure. Radiation, such as radiation used to treat head and neck cancers, increases the risk of salivary gland tumors.
• Workplace exposure to certain substances. People who work with certain substances may have an increased risk of salivary gland tumors. Jobs associated with salivary gland tumors include those involved in rubber manufacturing, asbestos mining and plumbing.