How does salivary gland cancer affect the body

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Key Points Salivary gland cancer is a rare disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the salivary glands. Being exposed to certain types of radiation may increase the risk of salivary cancer. Signs of salivary gland cancer include a lump or trouble swallowing. Tests that examine the head, neck, and the inside of the mouth are used to detect find and diagnose salivary gland cancer.

Certain factors affect treatment options and prognosis chance of recovery. Parotid glands: These are the largest salivary glands and are found in front of and just below each ear.

Most major salivary gland tumors begin in this gland. Sublingual glands: These glands are found under the tongue in the floor of the mouth. Submandibular glands: These glands are found below the jawbone. Older age. Treatment with radiation therapy to the head and neck. Being exposed to certain substances at work. A lump usually painless in the area of the ear, cheek, jaw, lip, or inside the mouth. Fluid draining from the ear.

Trouble swallowing or opening the mouth widely. Numbness or weakness in the face. Pain in the face that does not go away. Physical exam and history : An exam of the body to check general signs of health. The head, neck, mouth, and throat will be checked for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual.

A history of the patient's health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken. MRI magnetic resonance imaging : A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves , and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body.

This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging NMRI. CT scan CAT scan : A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly.

This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography. Enlarge Computed tomography CT scan of the head and neck. The patient lies on a table that slides through the CT scanner, which takes x-ray pictures of the inside of the head and neck.

PET scan positron emission tomography scan : A procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body. A small amount of radioactive glucose sugar is injected into a vein. The PET scanner rotates around the body and makes a picture of where glucose is being used in the body. Malignant tumor cells show up brighter in the picture because they are more active and take up more glucose than normal cells do.

Endoscopy : A procedure to look at organs and tissues inside the body to check for abnormal areas. For salivary gland cancer, an endoscope is inserted into the mouth to look at the mouth, throat, and larynx. An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. Biopsy : The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer.

Fine needle aspiration FNA biopsy : The removal of tissue or fluid using a thin needle. An FNA is the most common type of biopsy used for salivary gland cancer. Surgery : If cancer cannot be diagnosed from the sample of tissue removed during an FNA biopsy or an incisional biopsy, the mass may be removed and checked for signs of cancer. The stage of the cancer especially the size of the tumor. The type of salivary gland the cancer is in. The type of cancer cells how they look under a microscope.

The patient's age and general health. Key Points After salivary gland cancer has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the salivary gland or to other parts of the body. There are three ways that cancer spreads in the body. Cancer may spread from where it began to other parts of the body. The following stages are used for salivary gland cancers that affect the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands: Stage 0 carcinoma in situ Stage I Stage II Stage III Stage IV Minor salivary glands are staged differently from the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands.

The cancer spreads from where it began by growing into nearby areas. Lymph system. The cancer spreads from where it began by getting into the lymph system. The cancer travels through the lymph vessels to other parts of the body. The cancer spreads from where it began by getting into the blood. The cancer travels through the blood vessels to other parts of the body. The cancer gets into the lymph system, travels through the lymph vessels, and forms a tumor metastatic tumor in another part of the body.

The cancer gets into the blood, travels through the blood vessels, and forms a tumor metastatic tumor in another part of the body. Cancer has spread to one lymph node on the same side of the head or neck as the tumor. The lymph node is 3 centimeters or smaller and cancer has not grown outside the lymph node.

Cancer may have spread to one lymph node on the same side of the head or neck as the tumor. Cancer has spread: to one lymph node on the same side of the head or neck as the tumor; the lymph node is 3 centimeters or smaller and cancer has grown outside the lymph node; or to one lymph node on the same side of the head or neck as the tumor; the lymph node is larger than 3 centimeters but not larger than 6 centimeters and cancer has not grown outside the lymph node; or to more than one lymph node on the same side of the head or neck as the tumor; the lymph nodes are 6 centimeters or smaller and cancer has not grown outside the lymph nodes; or to lymph nodes on both sides of the head or neck or on the side opposite the primary tumor ; the lymph nodes are 6 centimeters or smaller and cancer has not grown outside the lymph nodes.

Cancer has spread: to one lymph node larger than 6 centimeters and cancer has not grown outside the lymph node; or to one lymph node on the same side of the head or neck as the tumor; the lymph node is larger than 3 centimeters and cancer has grown outside the lymph node; or to more than one lymph node on the same side of the head or neck as the tumor, on the side opposite the primary tumor, or on both sides of the head or neck; cancer has grown outside any of the lymph nodes; or to one lymph node of any size on the side of the head or neck opposite the primary tumor; cancer has grown outside the lymph node; or.

Cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs. Key Points There are different types of treatment for patients with salivary gland cancer. Patients with salivary gland cancer should have their treatment planned by a team of doctors who are experts in treating head and neck cancer.

Three types of standard treatment are used: Surgery Radiation therapy Chemotherapy New types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials. Radiosensitizers Treatment for salivary gland cancer may cause side effects. Patients can enter clinical trials before, during, or after starting their cancer treatment. Follow-up tests may be needed. Head and neck surgeon. Radiation oncologist. Speech therapist.

Salivary Gland Cancer. Share Print Email. About Salivary Gland Cancer Salivary gland cancer: a rare disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the salivary glands Salivary gland cancer is a rare cancer that forms in tissues of the gland in the mouth that makes saliva. Key Points Salivary gland cancer is a rare disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the salivary glands.

Tests that examine the head, neck, and the inside of the mouth are used to detect find and diagnose salivary gland cancer. Certain factors affect treatment options and prognosis chance of recovery. Parotid glands: These are the largest salivary glands and are found in front of and just below each ear. Most major salivary gland tumors begin in this gland.

Sublingual glands: These glands are found under the tongue in the floor of the mouth. Submandibular glands: These glands are found below the jawbone. Older age. Treatment with radiation therapy to the head and neck.

Being exposed to certain substances at work. A lump usually painless in the area of the ear, cheek, jaw, lip, or inside the mouth. Fluid draining from the ear. Trouble swallowing or opening the mouth widely. Numbness or weakness in the face.

Pain in the face that does not go away. Physical exam and history : An exam of the body to check general signs of health. The head, neck, mouth, and throat will be checked for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient's health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken. MRI magnetic resonance imaging : A procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves , and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body.

This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging NMRI. CT scan CAT scan : A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.

Enlarge Computed tomography CT scan of the head and neck. The patient lies on a table that slides through the CT scanner, which takes x-ray pictures of the inside of the head and neck. PET scan positron emission tomography scan : A procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body.

A small amount of radioactive glucose sugar is injected into a vein. The PET scanner rotates around the body and makes a picture of where glucose is being used in the body. Malignant tumor cells show up brighter in the picture because they are more active and take up more glucose than normal cells do. Endoscopy : A procedure to look at organs and tissues inside the body to check for abnormal areas. For salivary gland cancer, an endoscope is inserted into the mouth to look at the mouth, throat, and larynx.

An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. Biopsy : The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer.

Fine needle aspiration FNA biopsy : The removal of tissue or fluid using a thin needle. An FNA is the most common type of biopsy used for salivary gland cancer. Surgery : If cancer cannot be diagnosed from the sample of tissue removed during an FNA biopsy or an incisional biopsy, the mass may be removed and checked for signs of cancer.

The stage of the cancer especially the size of the tumor. The type of salivary gland the cancer is in. The type of cancer cells how they look under a microscope. The patient's age and general health. Key Points After salivary gland cancer has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the salivary gland or to other parts of the body. There are three ways that cancer spreads in the body.

Cancer may spread from where it began to other parts of the body. The following stages are used for salivary gland cancers that affect the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands: Stage 0 carcinoma in situ Stage I Stage II Stage III Stage IV Minor salivary glands are staged differently from the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands.

The cancer spreads from where it began by growing into nearby areas. Lymph system. The cancer spreads from where it began by getting into the lymph system. The cancer travels through the lymph vessels to other parts of the body. The cancer spreads from where it began by getting into the blood. The cancer travels through the blood vessels to other parts of the body.

The cancer gets into the lymph system, travels through the lymph vessels, and forms a tumor metastatic tumor in another part of the body. The cancer gets into the blood, travels through the blood vessels, and forms a tumor metastatic tumor in another part of the body.

Cancer has spread to one lymph node on the same side of the head or neck as the tumor. The lymph node is 3 centimeters or smaller and cancer has not grown outside the lymph node. Cancer may have spread to one lymph node on the same side of the head or neck as the tumor. Cancer has spread: to one lymph node on the same side of the head or neck as the tumor; the lymph node is 3 centimeters or smaller and cancer has grown outside the lymph node; or to one lymph node on the same side of the head or neck as the tumor; the lymph node is larger than 3 centimeters but not larger than 6 centimeters and cancer has not grown outside the lymph node; or to more than one lymph node on the same side of the head or neck as the tumor; the lymph nodes are 6 centimeters or smaller and cancer has not grown outside the lymph nodes; or to lymph nodes on both sides of the head or neck or on the side opposite the primary tumor ; the lymph nodes are 6 centimeters or smaller and cancer has not grown outside the lymph nodes.

Cancer has spread: to one lymph node larger than 6 centimeters and cancer has not grown outside the lymph node; or to one lymph node on the same side of the head or neck as the tumor; the lymph node is larger than 3 centimeters and cancer has grown outside the lymph node; or to more than one lymph node on the same side of the head or neck as the tumor, on the side opposite the primary tumor, or on both sides of the head or neck; cancer has grown outside any of the lymph nodes; or to one lymph node of any size on the side of the head or neck opposite the primary tumor; cancer has grown outside the lymph node; or.

Cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs. Key Points There are different types of treatment for patients with salivary gland cancer.

Patients with salivary gland cancer should have their treatment planned by a team of doctors who are experts in treating head and neck cancer. Three types of standard treatment are used: Surgery Radiation therapy Chemotherapy New types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials. Radiosensitizers Treatment for salivary gland cancer may cause side effects. Patients can enter clinical trials before, during, or after starting their cancer treatment.

Follow-up tests may be needed. Head and neck surgeon. Read more on carcinoma. People should see a doctor about any painless lumps that do not directly result from a known infection. People who have undergone radiation therapy for previous cancers of the head and neck may have a higher chance of developing salivary gland cancer later in life.

Older people also have a higher chance of developing salivary gland cancer, although people of any age can develop it. Males also have a slightly higher risk than females of having salivary gland cancer. Genetic factors can also increase the risk. However, this is very rare, and doctors do not think that family history contributes to salivary gland cancer in most people. Workplace exposure to substances, such as nickel alloy dust and silica dust, may also be a factor.

Research continues into other potential risk factors, including cellular phone use, diet, and tobacco and alcohol consumption. However, studies have not yet confirmed the impact of these factors on salivary gland cancer development.

The doctor will ask the person about their medical history and examine the sides of the face, the mouth, and the area around the jaw.

If they notice any swelling in the lymph nodes, this could be a sign of cancer. The doctor may request imaging tests to determine the location and spread of any disease. They may also recommend a biopsy to collect and analyze salivary gland tissue. In an incisional biopsy, the specialist makes a small cut and removes a sample of the tumor, which they send to a lab for examination. Depending on the initial findings, they may recommend surgery to remove and test the whole tumor.

Treatment for salivary cancer often involves surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy , or a combination of these. Surgery is normally the primary form of treatment for salivary gland cancer. The surgical team may need to remove the whole salivary gland, along with any nerves and ducts to which the cancer may have spread. If the tumor is small and easy to access, the surgeon may remove just the tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue.

In radiation therapy, the cancer care team directs high powered energy particles or beams at a tumor to slow the growth of or destroy cancer cells. The most common type of radiation therapy for salivary gland cancer is external beam radiation therapy.

It provides an intense level of radiation. A person will usually need radiation treatment every day for 5 days a week. The course of treatment will last for up to 7 weeks. Newer types of radiation therapy that may be more successful include accelerated hyperfractionated radiation.

This breaks treatments up into several smaller doses per day. A cancer care team might also administer radiosensitizer medications. These make a tumor more sensitive to radiation therapy, meaning that it kills more cancer cells.

Find out more about radiation therapy. A doctor requests chemotherapy when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The individual takes medication either by mouth or intravenously to kill the cancerous cells. A variety of drugs are available that a cancer care team can administer on their own or in combination with other drugs, such as 5-fluorouracil 5-FU , or carboplatin. In some cases, a person can have reconstructive surgery, and a speech therapist can help with restoring some lost eating and speaking functions. Gustatory sweating, or Frey Syndrome, occurs when nerves grow back in an unusual way.