Salivary gland tumors are abnormal cells growing in the ducts that drain the salivary glands.
Alternative NamesTumor - salivary duct
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe salivary glands are located around the mouth. They produce saliva, which moistens food to help with chewing and swallowing.
Saliva contains enzymes that begin the digestion process, and help cleanse the mouth by washing away bacteria and food particles. By keeping the mouth moist, saliva helps to keep dentures, retainers, or other orthodontic appliances in place.
There are three pairs of major salivary glands. The largest are the parotid glands, located in each cheek over the jaw in front of the ears. Two submandibular glands are at the back of the mouth on both sides of the jaw. Two sublingual glands are under the floor of the mouth. There are also thousands of minor salivary glands around the rest of the mouth.
All of the salivary glands empty saliva into the mouth through ducts that open at various locations in the mouth.
Salivary gland tumors are rare, especially in children. Swelling of the salivary glands is most commonly due to:
The most common type of salivary gland tumor is a slow-growing noncancerous (benign) tumor of the parotid gland that gradually increases the size of the gland. However, some of these tumors can be cancerous (malignant).
Malignant salivary gland tumors are usually carcinomas.
SymptomsAn examination by a health care provider or dentist shows a larger-than-normal salivary gland, usually one of the parotid glands.
Tests may include:
The recommended treatment is usually surgery to remove the affected salivary gland. If the tumor is benign, no other treatment is usually needed.
Radiation therapy or extensive surgery may be needed if the tumor is cancerous. Chemotherapy is sometimes used in patients who are considered high risk, or when the disease has spread beyond the salivary glands.
Expectations (prognosis)Most salivary gland tumors are noncancerous and slow growing. Removing the tumor with surgery usually cures the condition. In rare cases, the tumor is cancerous and further treatment is needed.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if:
National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Head and Neck Cancers. National Comprehensive Cancer Network: 2009. Version 1.2009.
Posner M. Head and neck cancer. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 200.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 02/01/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
.About 7% of all cancers diagnosed in the head and neck region are diagnosed in a salivary gland. Men and women are at equal risk.Mortality from salivary gland tumors in the United States is higher among male African Americans.
The parotids are the salivary glands most often affected by tumors. Yet most of the tumors that grow in the parotid glands are benign, or not cancerous. Approximately 8 out of 10 salivary tumors diagnosed are in a parotid gland.
Salivary gland scans are performed to evaluate the overall function and health of the salivary glands. These scans can help diagnose conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome, salivary gland tumors, and salivary duct obstructions. The scans involve the injection of a radioactive tracer that is taken up by the salivary glands, allowing them to be imaged and assessed for any abnormalities.
Ionizing radiation.is a factor that contributes to tumor development.Another reported risk factor is an association between wood dust inhalation and adenocarcinoma.There seems to be some link between breast cancer and salivary gland tumors.
Sublinguitis is inflammation in the sublingual gland. It can be caused by mumps, a stone in the salivary duct, tumors, and bacterial parotitis.
The most common cause of a salivary gland lump is mumps, which usually affects children and typically causes painful swellings on both sides of the face. However there are many other causes of swelling in the salivary glands, for example salivary gland infection, salivary gland cancer, systemic diseases and drugs.The main clinical feature of salivary gland cancer is swelling in the salivary gland region though it does not exactly indicate that you have cancer as most salivary gland tumors are benign.Read more about salivary gland cancer herehttp://www.intelligentdental.com/2009/11/25/how-to-prevent-salivary-gland-cancer/
It's the sublingual salivary gland.
The largest salivary gland is parotid
There are 3 salivary glands; the parotid gland, the sublingual gland, and the submandibular gland. The submandibular gland used to be the "submaxillary gland."
A salivary gland scan, also called a parotid gland scan
Parotid Gland
The sublingual gland.