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Salivary gland tumors

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Alternative Names:

Tumor - salivary duct

Treatment:

The recommended treatment is usually surgery to remove the affected salivary gland If the tumor is benign, no other treatment is usually recommended. Surgery on the parotid gland is usually designed to maintain the function of the facial nerve which controls the facial muscles.

Radiation therapy or extensive surgery may be required if the tumor is malignant. 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 duct tumors are benign (noncancerous) and slow growing. Removing the tumor by surgery usually cures them. In rare cases, the tumor is malignant (cancerous) and more extensive treatment is required.

Complications:

• Rarely, surgery to remove the tumor can injure the facial nerve. This nerve controls movement of the face on that side.
• Cancerous tumors may cause further complications.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if:

• A lump is noticed in the mouth, under the jaw, or in the neck that does not go away in 2 - 3 weeks or is getting larger
• If you have pain when eating or chewing

• Review Date: 10/31/2006
• Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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