How to Diagnose Salivary Gland Cancer

A rare type of cancer of the head and neck is salivary gland cancer. Salivary glands are located beneath the tongue, in front of and below the ears, and below the jawbone. They secrete saliva used to digest food as well as to prevent infection in the mouth. There are several tests used to diagnose salivary gland cancer.

Instructions

• 1

  Conduct a physical examination of the head and neck. Feel below and in front of the ears and along the jawbone for possible lumps, which may be indicative of salivary gland tumors.

• 2

  Take a complete medical history, as a patient's habits and family medical history may help diagnose salivary gland cancer. Also check for any effects on the facial nerves and muscles, as salivary gland tumors can cause pressure on some nerves.

• 3

  Perform imaging tests that can show the size and location of tumors. Barium x-rays, a CT scan, PET (positron emission tomography) scan or MRI are all useful tools in diagnosing salivary gland cancer. More than one test may need to be conducted, depending on the size of the tumor.

• 4

  Examine the head and neck with ultrasound. Ultrasound pictures can show the location of a salivary gland tumor, which will be helpful when it's time to take a biopsy.

• 5

  Have the patient undergo an endoscopy. This test involves passing a thin tube into the throat and taking biopsies. Have a pathologist examine the biopsies, as they are most experienced in determining the presence of cancer cells.