About Salivary Gland Tumors
Salivary gland tumors are growths that affect the salivary glands in the mouth, which produces saliva. They can be either benign (non-cancerous and don’t spread) or malignant (cancerous and more likely to spread). If a benign tumor isn’t treated or completely removed, it can sometimes become malignant. The most common type of benign salivary gland tumor is pleomorphic adenoma. The most common malignant types are mucoepidermoid carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma.
These tumors can occur in all age groups but are more common in people in their 50s and 60s, and they are slightly more common in women. Treatment often involves surgery to remove the tumor, which can provide a complete cure. Genetic and molecular screenings (tests that look for changes in genes or cells) have also become useful tools for diagnosing these tumors and tracking their growth.
The exact causes of salivary gland tumors are not fully known, but researchers think that changes in a person's DNA may play a role.
Non-modifiable risk factors are factors that cannot be changed or controlled to lower the chance of getting the disease. These include:
- Age: Older adults, with an average age of 64, are more likely to develop salivary gland tumors.
- Gender: Salivary gland tumors are more common in men.
- Family history: Having a family history of salivary gland cancer may increase the risk.
Modifiable risk factors for salivary gland tumors can be influenced or changed to lower the chance of getting the disease. These include:
- Radiation exposure: Previous radiation therapy (treatment using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells) to the head and neck or exposure to radioactive materials at work can increase the risk.
- Certain jobs: Some jobs have been linked to a higher risk of salivary gland tumors, such as restaurant workers, housecleaner, plumber, welder, painter, or in roles that involve handling metal or equipment.
- Poor nutrition: Poor nutrition has been suggested as a possible risk factor for malignant salivary gland tumors.
- Pollutants: Exposure to materials like nickel alloy dust and silica dust may also increase the risk.
It's important to note that these risk factors do not guarantee the development of salivary gland tumors, and individuals without these risk factors can still develop the condition. If you have concerns about your risk for salivary gland tumors, it's best to consult with your healthcare professional for personalized advice.
Common early symptoms of salivary gland tumors include:
- A lump or swollen area in your mouth, jaw, cheek, or neck
- A sore or open sore (ulcer) inside the mouth
- Constant pain in your mouth, jaw, cheek, neck, or ear
- Swelling or an obvious size difference on one side of the face or neck
- Trouble opening your mouth wide
- Numbness in your mouth or jaw
- Feeling weaker on one side of your face
- Difficulty swallowing (late-stage symptom)
As the salivary gland tumors grow or become more serious, other common symptoms may occur:
- Numbness in the face
- A tingling or burning feeling in the face (like pins and needles)
- Trouble swallowing or opening your mouth
- Fluid draining out of your ear
If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, more symptoms may include:
- Shortness of breath (if it spreads to the lungs)
- Jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes, if it spreads to the liver)
- Headaches and seizures (if it spread to the brain)
It's important to remember that symptoms can be different depending on the type (kind) and stage (how far it has spread) of salivary gland tumors. If you have any symptoms that worry you, it's best to talk with a healthcare professional to get the right diagnosis and care.
To diagnose salivary gland tumors, the following exams, tests, and procedures are commonly performed:
- Medical history review: The doctor gathers information about your past illnesses, treatments, and health habits.
- Physical exam: A careful check of the body for signs of disease, such as lumps or unusual changes.
- Imaging tests: Tests like X-rays, ultrasounds, CT (computed tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, and PET (positron emission tomography) scans provide detailed pictures of the affected areas to find tumors or unusual growths.
- Nasopharyngolaryngoscopy (NPL): In this procedure the doctor uses a thin, lighted tube with a camera or lens to look inside your mouth, throat, and larynx (voice box).
- Biopsy: A small sample of cells is taken from a growth or tumor and examined under a microscope to check for cancer.
To determine the stage (how far the cancer has spread) or severity (how serious it is and how likely it is to grow) of salivary gland tumors, additional exams, tests, and procedures may include:
- Histology diagnostic procedures: These tests examine tissue samples to help identify specific characteristics of the tumor.
- Staining methods: Special dyes are used on tissue samples to highlight specific cells under a microscope, helping doctors see any unusual changes.
- Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH): This test uses fluorescent dyes to attach to certain genes in cells. It helps detect genetic changes linked to salivary gland tumors.
- Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR): This test looks for specific gene changes in cells by copying certain parts of the tumor’s genetic material. It helps identify gene changes that may indicate cancer.
- Lab tests: Blood tests may be recommended to check for specific signs related to the tumor.
- Additional tests: Depending on the body area affected, other tests, like hearing tests, may be done to understand how far the tumor has spread.
It's important to talk with your healthcare professional for advice about exams and tests for salivary gland tumors.
The goals of treating salivary gland tumors are to control the disease and reduce any problems after treatment. The recommended treatment varies based on the tumor’s grade (how unusual the cancer cells look) and stage. Here are different approaches and how they work towards these goals:
- Surgery: Surgery is often the main treatment for slow growing, early-stage tumors. It involves removing the tumor and any nearby glands, tissues, or lymph nodes that may be affected. This helps to get rid of cancer cells and stop them from spreading.
- Radiation therapy: High-energy X-rays or particles are used to target and destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy can be used alone or with other treatments. It is especially helpful if lymph nodes are involved or if surgery would cause unwanted changes to appearance.
- Chemotherapy: While not commonly used for salivary gland cancers, chemotherapy may be recommended for fast-growing, aggressive tumors. Anti-cancer drugs are given to kill cancer cells throughout the body. However, surgery and radiation therapy are used more often than chemotherapy for this type of cancer.
Always talk with a healthcare professional for advice about medications, treatments, procedures, and any changes to health habits.
Medication dosing may be affected by many factors. Check with your health care professional about dosing for your individual situation. Side effects can occur. Check with your health care professional or read the information provided with your medication for side effect information.