UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center

For rare cancers, like those that affect the salivary glands, it can be difficult to find an experienced team of physicians who are on top of the most up-to-date treatments. At UChicago Medicine’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, our expert specialists are internationally renowned for their ability to effectively diagnose and treat head and neck cancers, including those that affect the salivary glands. 

Our goal is to successfully treat your cancer while ensuring you have the best possible quality of life during and after treatment. Your treatment plan will depend on various factors, including the type and location of your salivary gland cancer and your own treatment preferences. 

Salivary gland cancers are often treated with surgery. However, some salivary gland cancers, including advanced or recurring cancers, may benefit from radiation therapy and chemotherapy or other drug therapies. UChicago Medicine offers more clinical trials of treatments for patients with head and neck cancer than any other hospital in the Chicago area. That means our patients have access to novel therapies for salivary gland cancers. 

The salivary glands make saliva, which your mouth uses to digest food and fight off infections. The glands are located in various places inside and near your mouth:  

  • The major salivary glands: You have three different sets of major glands on each side of your face:  
    • Parotid glands: Located near the ears
    • Submandibular glands: Near your jaw
    • Sublingual glands: Under the floor of your mouth
  • The minor salivary glands: You also have hundreds of microscopic glands located around the mouth and throat area. 

About 70 percent of salivary gland tumors form in the parotid glands, and approximately 15 percent form in submandibular glands. Tumors in other glands are more rare. 

Many salivary gland tumors are benign, or not cancerous. Benign salivary gland tumors are treated differently than cancerous ones. 

Salivary and Parotid Gland Cancers: Symptoms and Diagnosis

Salivary and Parotid Gland Cancer Treatment

If your tumor is cancerous, our team of experts—which includes head and neck surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, speech pathologists and others—will discuss how to treat your cancer with the fewest side effects possible. By combining our expertise, we can better determine the best way to achieve these treatment goals.

Depending on your specific cancer diagnosis, as well as your treatment preferences, your care plan may include some or all of the following: 

Convenient Locations for Cancer Care

Request an Appointment

We are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries, leading to delayed response times. For faster assistance, please call 1-855-702-8222 to schedule your appointment.

If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

For Referring Physicians

To refer a patient for head and neck cancer care, please call UCM Physician Connect at 1-800-824-2282

 

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By submitting this form you acknowledge the risk of sending this information by email and agree not to hold the University of Chicago or University of Chicago Medical Center liable for any damages you may incur as a result of the transfer or use of this information. The use or transmittal of this form does not create a physician-contact relationship. More information regarding the confidentiality of this request can be found in our Privacy Policy.
Surgeon Nishant Agrawal, MD, and medical oncologist, Everett Vokes, MD

Cancer Care Second Opinions

Request a second opinion from UChicago Medicine experts in head and neck cancer care.

researcher in cancer lab

Participate in a Clinical Trial

UChicago Medicine head & neck cancer experts are actively conducting clinical trials of new and promising treatments.

Supportive oncology team, including Chris Daugherty, MD

Helping You Cope With Cancer

Our Supportive Oncology program offers a range of services to support you and your family during your cancer treatment.