Most salivary gland tumours are not cancerous and grow slowly. Removing the tumour surgically usually cures the condition. In rare cases, the tumour is cancerous and further treatment is needed. During surgery, removing part of the affected salivary gland together with the tumour is usually sufficient. If the tumour is benign, no further treatment is needed. If the tumour is cancerous, a neck dissection (an operation in which the lymph nodes are removed) and, if necessary, radiation therapy may be required.
Surgery for salivary gland tumours may take the following forms: part of the affected gland may be removed; if the tumour is small and in an easily accessible spot, the tumour and a small margin of the healthy tissue around it may be taken out; and for cancerous tumours, removing the whole gland is usually necessary.