We humans have three large and 600 to 1,000 small salivary glands to produce the saliva that breaks down food. Cancer can develop in all salivary glands. Salivary gland cancer is therefore a generic term for all possible cancers in the salivary glands. They are often benign.
Below you will find further information and selected specialists for salivary gland cancer.
Humans have three large salivary glands to produce the saliva that breaks down food:
The location of the three major salivary glands @Jeniffer /AdobeStockWe also have around 600 to 1,000 other small salivary glands located in the oral mucosa. Cancer can develop in all of these salivary glands.
The international classification distinguishes between 9 benign and 18 malignant cancers of the salivary glands. In most cases, a pleomorphic adenoma or cystadenolymphoma (Warthin's tumor) of the parotid gland is present. Both are benign tumors that occur much more frequently than malignant tumors.
Malignant tumors include mucoepidermoid carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma and acinar cell carcinoma. In most cases, they are found in the submandibular or sublingual salivary gland. Metastases (metastases) of another tumor in the area of the salivary glands also occur. In very rare cases, the minor salivary glands are affected by malignant cancer.
Benign salivary gland cancer is characterized by slow growth. As a result, those affected initially have no symptoms. A benign tumor is noticeableby a visible and palpable swelling, which is usually not painful.
If the tumor constricts the outlet of the gland, it can lead to painful inflammation of the salivary gland .
Cancerous tumors in the submandibular salivary gland are malignant in 50 percent of cases and lead to paralysis of the facial nerve. This results in impaired facial muscles, impaired facial expressions, a "crooked" smile and slurred speech.
Malignant tumors are often painful. Other symptoms may occur in the advanced stages of the disease:
Swelling is typical of salivary gland cancer @ Missleestocker /AdobeStockThe exact causes are still unknown. Most tumors occur spontaneously and without a family history. There is an increased risk of salivary gland cancer if those affected received radiotherapy to the head and neck area in childhood or adolescence.
Nicotine consumption and other viral diseases (especially Eppstein-Barr and HIV infections) can also be responsible for thyroid cancer. However, this has not yet been proven.
The treatment of salivary gland cancer is primarily based on the complete removal of the tumor. This also applies to benign tumors, as they cause long-term problems and cause inflammation or impaired eating.
As humans have several salivary glands, those affected are not particularly affected by the removal of a large salivary gland.
Doctors can easily remove most tumors with a single surgical procedure. As benign salivary gland cancer can also recur, doctors remove each tumor generously. This means that doctors not only remove the cancerous growth itself, but also some of the adjacent healthy tissue.
However, it is safest to remove the entire affected salivary gland. Doctors do this, for example, as part of a complete parotid gland removal (total parotidectomy) or when removing the submandibular salivary gland (submandibulectomy).
The treatment of malignant tumors is usually more complex, as they can also spread to other body organs. The soft tissue (lymph nodes) is usually affected.
When treating malignant tumors, doctors first remove the affected tissue generously. They also remove the cervical lymph nodes ("neck dissection").
If the malignant tumor affects adjacent tissue structures such as parts of the facial nerve, bones or muscles, doctors also remove these.
To ensure that the operation does not put too much strain on the body, those affected first receive radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The aim is to reduce the size of the tumor beforehand. In some cases, a combination of surgery and radiotherapy or chemotherapy is used.
In the case of benign tumors and malignant tumors in children and adolescents, no further treatment measures are required after the operation.
Chemotherapy or radiotherapy is advisable if:
Radiotherapy is most effective for localized tumours.
In children, doctors weigh up the benefits against the consequences, as they react more sensitively to radiotherapy . Children often develop secondary cancers or growth disorders in the face. For this reason, doctors rarely use radiotherapy on children. If they do, it is usually in combination with chemotherapy.
