How is salivary gland cancer found?
Salivary gland cancer is rare, so doctors do not recommend testing for it unless someone has symptoms. Still, because of where it starts, in many cases it can be found early. Often patients or their doctors notice a lump in one of the salivary glands–usually on the side of the face or in the mouth. And checking the salivary glands for lumps is often a part of medical and dental check-ups. Finding the cancer early greatly increases the chances of a cure. If you have any of the problems listed below, see a doctor right away: • A mass or lump in your face, neck, or mouth • Pain in one place in your face, neck, or mouth that doesn’t go away • A difference in the size or shape of the left and right sides of your face or neck that wasn’t there before • Numbness in part of your face • New muscle weakness on one side of your face • Trouble swallowing These are symptoms salivary gland cancer, but they may also be caused by something else. Still, if you have any of these problems, it’s importan
