Can salivary gland cancer be found early?

Salivary gland cancer is uncommon, so doctors do not recommend testing for it unless someone has symptoms. Still, because of its location, in many cases salivary gland cancer can be found early. Often patients, their dentists, or their doctors notice a mass or lump within one of the salivary glands (usually on the sides of the face or in the mouth). Checking the salivary glands for lumps is often a routine part of general medical and dental checkups.

Being alert to certain symptoms and not ignoring them might help find salivary gland cancers early, when treatment is likely to be most effective.