Salivary gland cancer- adult

December 31, 2014

Overview

There are different types of treatment for patients with salivary gland cancer. Different types of treatment are available for patients with salivary gland cancer. Some treatments are standard (the currently used treatment), and some are being tested in clinical trials. Before starting treatment, patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial. A treatment clinical trial is a research study meant to help improve current treatments or obtain information on new treatments for patients with cancer. When clinical trials show that a new treatment is better than the standard treatment, the new treatment may become the standard treatment. Clinical trials are taking place in many parts of the country. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site. Choosing the most appropriate cancer treatment is a decision that ideally involves the patient, family, and health care team. Patients with salivary gland cancer should have their treatment planned by a team of doctors who are experts in treating head and neck cancer.

Symptoms

A lump (usually painless) in the area of the ear, cheek, jaw, lip, or inside the mouth. Fluid draining from the ear. Trouble swallowing or opening the mouth widely. Numbness or weakness in the face. Pain in the face that does not go away.

Prognosis

Certain factors affect treatment options and prognosis (chance of recovery). The treatment options and prognosis (chance of recovery) depend on the following: * The stage of the cancer (especially the size of the tumor). * The type of salivary gland the cancer is in. * The type of cancer cells (how they look under a microscope). * The patient's age and general health.

Treatment

Stage I salivary gland cancer Treatment for stage I salivary gland cancer depends on whether the cancer is low-grade (slow growing) or high-grade (fast growing). If the cancer is low-grade, treatment may include the following: * Surgery with or without radiation therapy. * Fast neutron radiation therapy. If the cancer is high-grade, treatment may include the following: * Surgery with or without radiation therapy. * A clinical trial of chemotherapy. * A clinical trial of a new local therapy. This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site. Stage II salivary gland cancer Treatment for stage II salivary gland cancer depends on whether the cancer is low-grade (slow growing) or high-grade (fast growing). If the cancer is low-grade, treatment may include the following: * Surgery with or without radiation therapy. * Radiation therapy. * Chemotherapy. If the cancer is high-grade, treatment may include the following: * Surgery with or without radiation therapy. * Fast neutron or photon-beam radiation therapy. * A clinical trial of radiation therapy and/or radiosensitizers. * A clinical trial of chemotherapy. This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site. Stage III salivary gland cancer Treatment for stage III salivary gland cancer depends on whether the cancer is low-grade (slow growing) or high-grade (fast growing). If the cancer is low-grade, treatment may include the following: * Surgery with or without lymphadenectomy. Radiation therapy may also be given after surgery. * Radiation therapy. * Fast neutron radiation therapy to lymph nodes with cancer. * Chemotherapy. * A clinical trial of fast neutron radiation therapy to the tumor. * A clinical trial of chemotherapy. If the cancer is high-grade, treatment may include the following: * Surgery with or without lymphadenectomy. Radiation therapy may also be given after surgery. * Fast neutron radiation therapy. * Radiation therapy as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. * A clinical trial of radiation therapy and/or radiosensitizers. * A clinical trial of chemotherapy. This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site. Stage IV salivary gland cancer Treatment of stage IV salivary gland cancer may include the following: * Fast neutron or photon-beam radiation therapy. * A clinical trial of chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy. This summary section refers to specific treatments under study in clinical trials, but it may not mention every new treatment being studied. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site. Treatment options for recurrent salivary gland cancer Treatment of recurrent salivary gland cancer may include the following: * Radiation therapy. * A clinical trial of a new treatment. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the NCI Web site.