Treatment areas · 02
Salivary Gland Tumours
Benign and malignant tumours of the salivary glands in front of the ear, under the jaw and under the tongue, their diagnosis and surgical treatment.
The salivary glands are the organs that produce saliva, which keeps the mouth moist and starts the first step of digestion. There are three pairs of major salivary glands: the parotid gland in front of the ear, the submandibular gland under the lower jaw and the sublingual gland under the tongue. In addition, many minor salivary glands are scattered across the lining of the mouth and throat. A benign or malignant tumour can develop in any of these glands; tumours are most often found in the parotid gland.1,2
Most salivary gland tumours are benign and are usually noticed as a slowly growing lump that does not hurt. Every lump should nevertheless be evaluated, because some benign tumours can change over time, and malignant tumours can be treated with simpler methods when they are recognised early. The diagnosis is made by examination, imaging and fine-needle biopsy. The mainstay of treatment is removal of the gland together with the tumour, and the operation aims to preserve the facial nerve and the surrounding structures.1,3,4
The pages in this section introduce salivary gland tumours in general; discuss parotid and submandibular gland tumours separately; explain the features of malignant tumours (salivary gland cancer); and describe how surgery is performed and what to expect during recovery. Reading these pages should make the medical terms familiar and help you go into the conversation with your doctor prepared.
References
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National Cancer Institute. Salivary gland cancer treatment (PDQ®)–patient version [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute; [updated 2025 Mar 14; cited 2026 Oct 5]. Available from: cancer.gov ↩
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American Cancer Society. Salivary gland cancer [Internet]. Atlanta (GA): American Cancer Society; [revised 2026 Mar 11; cited 2026 Oct 12]. Available from: cancer.org ↩
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Cancer Research UK. Types of salivary gland cancer [Internet]. London: Cancer Research UK; [reviewed 2026 Mar 31; cited 2026 Oct 5]. Available from: cancerresearchuk.org ↩
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Sood S, McGurk M, Vaz F. Management of salivary gland tumours: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary Guidelines. J Laryngol Otol. 2016;130(S2):S142-S149. doi:10.1017/S0022215116000566 ↩
Topics in this area · 6 topics
- 01Salivary Gland Tumours: An OverviewThe types of salivary gland tumours, the differences between benign and malignant tumours, their symptoms, diagnostic methods and treatment approaches.
- 02Parotid Gland TumoursThe symptoms of parotid gland tumours, how they are diagnosed, and their surgical treatment (parotidectomy), which aims to preserve the facial nerve.
- 03Submandibular Gland TumoursThe symptoms of submandibular gland tumours, how they are told apart from stones and inflammation, how they are diagnosed and their surgical treatment.
- 04Salivary Gland CancerThe types of salivary gland cancer, its symptoms, diagnosis and staging, and the treatment approaches, including surgery and radiotherapy.
- 05Salivary Gland SurgeryHow parotidectomy and submandibular gland excision are performed, how you prepare, how the facial nerve is protected and what the risks are.
- 06Recovery After Salivary Gland SurgeryThe first days after salivary gland surgery, wound care, diet, temporary effects such as facial nerve weakness and numbness, and returning to daily life.
Related articles
- Will I get facial paralysis after salivary gland surgery?Why the facial nerve is at risk in parotid surgery, how often weakness happens in published figures, how the nerve is protected and how the eye is cared for.
- Why does a salivary gland swell?A stone, an infection or a tumour? The main causes of a swollen salivary gland, how they differ, how the cause is found and when to see a doctor.
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