Salivary Gland Cancer - Salivary Gland Tumors

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

Most of salivary gland tumors are harmless. Usually they are slow growing, non-tender, painless bumps. They are often single masses with distinct edges.

But sometimes the tumors are cancerous. In these cases, the masses do not have distinct edges and appear to be stuck to surrounding tissues. Often they affect nearby nerves, causing a loss of feeling or function of the face or tongue. The tumors may grow quickly, feel lumpy, and cause pain.

Tumors arising from minor salivary glands usually present as painless, slow-growing swellings below the lining of the cheek or hard and soft palate.