There are many different types of primary salivary gland cancer. Each of these cancer types behave differently. Some high-grade salivary tumours spread along nerves orto lymph nodes and to other parts of the body. Low-grade tumours are less likely to spread.
Doctors often can’t explain why a person gets cancer. However, factors that may increase the risk of salivary gland cancer include:
Age - most salivary gland cancers occur in people aged over 50 years
Exposure of the head and neck to radiation therapy
Autoimmune diseases – these can lead to a type of cancer in the salivary glands called lymphoma
Skin cancers can spread to lymph nodes in the salivary glands
Other factors, such as using mobile phones and exposure to industrial chemicals, have not been proven to increase the risk of salivary gland cancer.
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