Salivary Gland Cancer

Humans have three large paired salivary glands. They are located on both sides of the head (see picture):

• Parotid glands, located in front of the ear
• Submandibular glands, lie beneath the lower jawbone
• Sublingual glands, located in the floor of the mouth

In addition, there are a large number of small salivary glands in the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat. Most salivary gland tumors are benign. However, malignant salivary gland tumors (salivary gland cancer) are also much rarer. Some of them grow slowly and rarely form offshoots (metastases).

Others, however, have aggressive growth and a high tendency to spread throughout the body. Some types of salivary gland cancer can develop from benign tumors of the salivary glands.