Saliva also helps begin the food digestion process.
Verywell / Theres Chiechi
What Is Salivary Gland Cancer?
Of the three types of major salivary glands, cancer is most likely to occur in the parotid glands.
Verywell / Theres Chiechi
There are also hundreds of minor salivary glands.
Minor salivary glands are very small, and cancer in these glands is rare.
It is the most common punch in of salivary gland cancer.
Mucoepidermoid carcinomas tend to be low-grade.
Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
This pop in of salivary gland cancer grows slowly.
It tends to spread along nerves and often reoccurs after treatment.
What Causes Salivary Gland Cancer?
The exact cause of salivary gland cancer is still unknown.
However, there are certain risk factors that can predict the development of salivary gland cancer.
Salivary gland cancers are more common in men than women.
This may be followed by a physical examination.
In later stages, surgery is often combined with localizedradiation treatmentto kill any remaining cancer cells.
Cancer that has spread often requires a combination of surgery, radiation, andchemotherapyto treat.
Prognosis
Most patients with salivary gland cancer can recover fully and achieve remission after treatment.
This is useful in facilitating communication between medical professionals and in determining treatment and prognosis.
Salivary gland cancer diagnosed in the earlier stages presents the best outcome and chances for remission.
Cancer in the later stages and cancer that reoccurs have worse outcomes.
Recurrent cancer requires aggressive ongoing treatment.
A Word From Verywell
A cancer diagnosis can be scary and overwhelming.
Fortunately, there are successful treatment options for salivary gland cancer.
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Cleveland Clinic.Salivary gland cancer.
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