A few risk factors are known to increase a person’s likelihood of developing a benign or malignant salivary gland tumour. These risk factors include older age, smoking, exposure to radiation, certain viral infections and excessive mobile phone use. Nevertheless, most salivary gland tumours begin without a clear cause.
A lump or swelling in the area of your salivary gland is the most common sign of a salivary gland tumour, but it does not mean that you have cancer. Many common causes, such as an infection or a stone in the salivary gland duct, can also cause your salivary gland to swell and become painful.