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Salivary gland cancer/salivary gland tumor

Salivary gland cancer originates in the salivary glands. These glands are located in and around the mouth and make saliva. There are three large salivary glands and a number of small salivary glands. Tumors in the salivary glands can be benign or malignant. There is a different risk of malignancy per gland:

  • Parotid gland: 20% are malignant
  • Submandibular salivary gland: 50% are malignant
  • Tongue salivary gland: 70% are malignant
  • Small salivary glands in the mouth, nose and throat: 80% are malignant

On this page you can read more about the symptoms, examinations and treatments for salivary gland cancer.

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Learn more about salivary gland cancer

Causes of Salivary Gland Cancer

Salivary gland cancer is equally common in men and women. Most people with this type of cancer are over 40 years old. We don't know exactly what the cause is. Skin cancer can also spread to the salivary glands. We call this a metastasis.

Symptoms of salivary gland cancer

If you have salivary gland cancer, you may suffer from the following signs and symptoms:

  • Pain
  • Problems with the facial nerve
  • Swelling in cheek, in front and under the ear or under the jaw
  • Swelling in the neck (this occurs when the cancer has spread to the salivary gland)

Pain and problems with the facial nerve are more common in malignant tumors.

Diagnosis

To diagnose salivary gland cancer, we perform the following tests:

Bloedbuisjes

Blood tests
MRI scan

MRI scan

X-ray
Echografie

Ultrasound
Punctie zoom

Liquid biopsy
Nucleaire geneeskunde pet

PET/CT scan

Treatment options

The treatment you receive depends on the type of tumour. Your health and fitness also play a role. The doctor will explain well in advance what is going to happen and you will have plenty of time to ask questions. You will receive one or more of the following treatments:

Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer

Surgery for salivary gland cancer

Waiting

We want to inform you as well as possible about the waiting time per condition. We do this based on a prognosis of the current waiting list. The waiting time can vary from patient to patient for various reasons. Your attending physician will give you more information during your outpatient consultation.

  • 4 days

    First appointment

    Your first appointment will be planned within approximately 4 days.

  • 2 days

    Rapid diagnostics

    It will take approximately 2 days before you can start rapid diagnostics

  • 11 days

    Second opinion

    It will take approximately 11 days before you can come in for a second opinion

Read more about making an appointment or second opinion here

Make an appointment

Second opinion or transfer

Disclaimer

This translation was generated automatically based on information in Dutch. It has not been reviewed by a medical specialist. The purpose of this translation is to make our information accessible to non-Dutch speakers. However, this information should not be considered a substitute for medical advice from your treating physician. The Netherlands Cancer Institute cannot guarantee the accuracy of this translation. For medical questions or advice, please consult your physician.

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