Symptoms of salivary gland cancer

The signs or symptoms of salivary gland cancer may vary depending on where the tumour is growing. Non-cancerous salivary gland tumours and other health conditions can cause the same symptoms as salivary gland cancer.

The most common sign of salivary gland cancer is a painless lump in your jaw, cheek, mouth or neck. Other signs and symptoms of salivary gland cancer include:

  • pain in your mouth, ear, jaw, throat or neck that doesn't go away
  • trouble opening your mouth widely (called trismus)

  • numbness (lack of feeling) in part of your face

  • drooping or weakness of the muscles on one side of your face

  • twitching of muscles on your face

  • problems swallowing and drooling

  • tearing in one eye

  • problems closing an eye

  • blood in your saliva

  • changes to your voice

  • stuffy nose

  • changes to the skin over a lump on the jaw, cheek, mouth or neck

Expert review and references

  • American Cancer Society. Signs and symptoms of salivary gland cancer. 2017.
  • Tuluc M, Bar-Ad V, Cognetti D, Johnson J, Axelrod R . Uncommon tumors of the oral cavity and adjacent structures. Raghavan D, et al (eds.). Textbook of Uncommon Cancer. 5th ed. Wiley Blackwell; 2017: 10:134–151.
  • National Cancer Institute. Salivary Gland Cancer Treatment (Adult) (PDQ®) Patient Version. 2018.

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

We do our best to make sure that the information we provide is accurate and reliable but cannot guarantee that it is error-free or complete.

The Canadian Cancer Society is not responsible for the quality of the information or services provided by other organizations and mentioned on cancer.ca, nor do we endorse any service, product, treatment or therapy.


1-888-939-3333 | cancer.ca | © 2024 Canadian Cancer Society