Salivary Gland Cancer

Salivary gland cancer is a rare disease in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the salivary glands. A lump or swelling on or near your jaw or in your neck or mouth, Numbness in part of your face, many other noncancerous conditions may lead to a swollen salivary gland, including an infection or a stone in a salivary gland duct.  Many types of cancer and benign (non-cancerous) tumors can develop in these glands.Treatment for salivary gland cancer is radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Radiation therapy might be an option as the main treatment if surgery would result in serious problems with eating, speech, or appearance, or for people who refuse surgery. The treatment options for salivary gland cancer depend largely on the stage (extent) of the cancer. Radiation therapy may be advised after surgery if you have an intermediate- or high-grade cancer or an adenoid cystic carcinoma, if the cancer could not be removed completely, or if the edges of the removed area contain cancer cells. 

Chemotherapy (chemo) may be added as well, but it’s not clear how helpful this is. Radiation therapy (with or without chemo) may be used as the main treatment if surgery is not a good option.If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, chemo may shrink or slow the growth of the cancer for a time and may help relieve symptoms. Because these cancers can be hard to treat, taking part in a clinical trial of newer treatments may be a good option.