What are the causes and symptoms of salivary gland tumors?

Several risk factors are known to increase a person's likelihood of developing benign or malignant salivary gland cancer. These risk factors include older age, smoking, exposure to radiation, certain viral infections, and excessive mobile phone use. Nevertheless, most salivary gland tumors begin without a clear cause.

A lump or swelling in the area where your salivary gland is located is the most common sign of a salivary gland tumor, but this does not mean that you have cancer. Many commonly seen causes, such as an infection or a stone in the salivary gland duct, can also cause your salivary gland to swell and become painful.