While we don't yet know exactly what causes salivary gland cancer, there are some risk factors that seem to be linked to it. A risk factor is something that affects a person's chance of getting a disease. Some risk factors, such as smoking, can be controlled. Others, like a person's age or race, can't be changed.

Radiation: Radiation treatment to the head and neck area or work exposure to certain radioactive substances can increase the risk of this cancer.

Family history: Very rarely, members of some families seem to have a higher than usual risk of getting salivary gland cancers.

Work: Some studies suggest that working with certain products such as nickel alloy dust or silica dust may increase the risk of this cancer, but these links are not certain.

Diet: Some studies have found that a diet high in animal fat and low in vegetables could increase risk. More research is needed to confirm this possible link.

Cell phones: One recent study suggested an increased risk of parotid gland tumors among heavy cell phone users. But other studies have not found such a link. Research in this area is still in progress. If there is any excess risk, it could be decreased by using corded or cordless earpieces that move the phone away from the user's head and decrease the amount of radiation that reaches the body.

Last Medical Review: 02/26/2009
Last Revised: 02/26/2009