Childhood Salivary Gland Tumors Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version

General Information About Childhood Salivary Gland Tumors

KEY POINTS

Salivary gland cancer is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the salivary glands.
A history of past treatment for cancer may increase the risk of salivary gland cancer.
Signs and symptoms of salivary gland cancer include a lump near the ear, cheek, jaw, or lip, or inside the mouth.
Tests that examine the mouth and throat are used to detect (find) and diagnose salivary gland cancer.

Salivary gland cancer is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the salivary glands.

The salivary glands make saliva and release it into the mouth. Saliva has enzymes that help digest food and antibodies that help protect against infections of the mouth and throat.

There are 3 pairs of major salivary glands:

Parotid glands: These are the largest salivary glands and are found in front of and just below each ear. Most 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.

Anatomy of the salivary glands; drawing shows a cross section of the head and the three main pairs of salivary glands. The parotid glands are in front of and just below each ear; the sublingual glands are under the tongue in the floor of the mouth; and the submandibular glands are below each side of the jawbone. The tongue and lymph nodes are also shown. — Anatomy of the salivary glands. The three main pairs of salivary glands are the parotid glands, the sublingual glands, and the submandibular glands.

Most salivary gland tumors in children are benign (not cancerous) and do not spread to other tissues. Some salivary gland tumors are malignant (cancer). Malignant tumors are more common in young children. The prognosis for salivary gland cancer in children is usually good.

Salivary gland cancer is a type of head and neck cancer.

A history of past treatment for cancer may increase the risk of salivary gland cancer.

Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer. Talk with your child's doctor if you think your child may be at risk.

Risk factors for salivary gland cancer in children include past treatment for leukemia, including:

Chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy to the neck or whole body.

Signs and symptoms of salivary gland cancer include a lump near the ear, cheek, jaw, or lip, or inside the mouth.

These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by salivary gland cancer or by other conditions.

Check with your child's doctor if your child has any of the following:

A lump (usually painless) near the ear, cheek, jaw, or 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.

Tests that examine the mouth and throat are used to detect (find) and diagnose salivary gland cancer.

The following tests and procedures may be used:

Physical exam and history : An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking 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 of the body, such as the head and neck. 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 child 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.
Ultrasound exam: A procedure in which high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echoes form a picture of body tissues called a sonogram. The picture can be printed to be looked at later.
Biopsy : The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer.