Salivary gland tumor risk factors

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Simrat Sarai, M.D. [2]

Overview

Common risk factors in the development of salivary gland tumors are age, radiation exposure, environment and occupational exposure, certain viruses, male gender, smoking and family history.

Risk Factors

Common risk factors in the development of salivary gland tumors include the following:

• Age.
  • Salivary gland tumors can occur at any age, although it is most commonly diagnosed in older adults. 2 out of every 3 salivary gland cancers are found in people 55 and older. The average age at which salivary gland cancers are found is at the age of 64.
• Radiation exposure.
  • Radiation therapy to the head or neck for any medical reason may increase the risk of developing salivary gland cancer. There is convincing evidence that exposure to radiation increases your risk for salivary gland cancer. The risk is related to how much radiation someone is exposed to. People who had radiation therapy to the head or neck and atomic bomb survivors have the highest risk. People who had many full-mouth dental x-rays also have a high risk for salivary gland cancer. This is especially true for people who had these x-rays before the 1960s when the doses of radiation were much higher. There is also an increased risk for salivary gland cancer in people who were treated with radioactive iodine-131 for thyroid cancer.
• Environmental/occupational exposure.
  • Environment or occupational exposure to sawdust and chemicals used in the leather industry, pesticides, and some industrial solvents may increase the risk of a type of salivary gland cancer that occurs in the nose and sinuses.
• Certain viruses
  • Viruses that are associated with salivary gland cancer include HIV and the Epstein-Barr virus.
• Male gender
  • Salivary gland tumors are more common in men than in women.
• Family history
  • Rarely, members of some families seem to have a higher than usual risk of developing salivary gland cancers. The majority of people who get salivary gland cancer do not have a family history of this disease.
• Smoking
  • Warthin tumor has a strong association with smoking, although in other salivary gland tumors no clear relationship is seen.
• Other possible risk factors

The following factors have been linked with salivary gland cancer, but there is not enough evidence to show they are known risk factors. Further study is needed to clarify the role of these factors for salivary gland cancer.

• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
  • Some studies have shown a link between EBV infection and a type of salivary gland cancer called lymphoepithelial carcinoma. This type of cancer is mostly seen in Inuit and people living in southern China.
• Human papillomavirus
  • There are no conclusive data that support a causative role for HPV in the etiology of salivary gland cancers.
• Workplace exposure to certain substances.
  • People who are involved in rubber manufacturing, asbestos mining and plumbing have an increased risk of salivary gland cancer.
• Tobacco and alcohol
  • While tobacco is a strong risk factor for other types of head and neck cancer, the evidence isn’t as strong for salivary gland cancer. Some studies show that people who use tobacco products have a higher risk, while others don’t show the same results. The risk of developing salivary gland cancer from using smokeless tobacco, such as chewing tobacco or snuff, is not very clear. Although tobacco and alcohol can increase the risk for several cancers of the head and neck area, they have not been strongly linked to salivary gland cancers in most studies.
• Diet
  • Some studies have found that a diet high in animal fat and low in vegetables may increase the risk of salivary gland cancer, but more research is needed to confirm this possible link.
• Cell phone use
  • One study has suggested an increased risk of parotid gland tumors among heavy cell phone users. In this study, most of the tumors seen were benign (not cancer). Other studies looking at this issue have not found such a link. Research in this area is still in progress.