Salivary gland cancer is a malignancy (kind of cancer) that begins in one of the salivary glands of the head and neck. This can occur in a small, minor salivary gland or any one of the three pairs of major salivary glands: the parotid glands, the largest salivary glands located in front of and just below each ear; the sublingual glands, found under the tongue in the floor of the mouth; or the submandibular glands located below the jawbone.
Signs and symptoms can include
- a lump or swelling in the mouth, cheek, jaw, or neck;
- pain in the mouth, cheek, jaw, ear, or neck that does not go away; or a
- difference between the size and/or shape of the left and right sides of the face or neck.
Other associated symptoms and signs can be
- numbness in part of the face,
- weakness of the muscles on one side of the face,
- trouble opening the mouth widely, or
- trouble swallowing (dysphagia).
Cause of salivary gland cancer
Doctors do not understand the exact cause of salivary gland cancer.
Other salivary gland cancer symptoms and signs
- Difference Between the Size and/or Shape of the Left and Right Sides of the Face or Neck
- Lump or Swelling in the Mouth, Cheek, Jaw, or Neck
- Numbness in Part of the Face
- Pain in the Mouth, Cheek, Jaw, Ear, or Neck That Does Not Go Away
- Trouble Opening the Mouth Widely
- Trouble Swallowing (Dysphagia)
- Weakness of the Muscles on One Side of the Face
Main Article on Salivary Gland Cancer Symptoms and Signs

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