What are the common conditions and disorders that affect salivary glands?
There are several conditions and disorders that can affect your salivary glands, including:
- Salivary gland stones.
- Salivary gland swelling.
- Salivary gland infection.
- Salivary gland dysfunction.
- Salivary gland tumors.
Salivary gland stones
Salivary gland stones — made from salts found in saliva — are most likely to form if you’re dehydrated or if you take medications that cause dry mouth (xerostomia). These stones can lead to a blocked salivary gland. This can be painful, and it can result in swelling and infection.
Salivary gland swelling
Several different conditions can lead to salivary gland swelling. For example, swollen parotid glands are the hallmark symptom of childhood mumps. (This condition is far less common today due to the MMR vaccine.) Salivary gland swelling is a common symptom of salivary gland malfunction, which involves decreased saliva production. (We’ll explore this in more detail later on.)
Salivary gland tumors — both cancerous and noncancerous — can also cause salivary gland swelling.
Salivary gland infection
The medical term for salivary gland infection is sialadenitis. The majority of salivary gland infections are the result of blocked salivary glands or chronic dry mouth.
Staph infections can also result in sialadenitis. People with anorexia are especially susceptible.
Salivary gland dysfunction
Salivary gland dysfunction refers to any situation where your salivary glands don’t work as they should. In most cases, this means that your salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva. Several factors could lead to a decrease in saliva production (a condition known as dry mouth). These include:
- Certain types of infections, such as HIV and AIDS.
- Certain diseases, such as Sjögren's syndrome, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Some medications, like certain antihistamines, antidepressants, sedatives and drugs for Parkinson’s disease.
- Certain cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy to the head and neck region.
Note: Not all cases of chronic dry mouth are due to salivary gland dysfunction. Dry mouth can also be the result of dehydration, mouth breathing, stress and anxiety.
Salivary gland tumors
Most salivary gland tumors are benign (noncancerous), but sometimes, they can be malignant (cancerous).
Examples of noncancerous salivary gland tumors include:
- Adenomas (including pleomorphic, monomorphic, canalicular and sebaceous).
- Oncocytomas.
- Ductal papillomas.
- Myoepitheliomas.
- Warthin’s tumor.
Examples of salivary gland cancer include:
- Mucoepidermoid carcinomas.
- Adenoid cystic carcinomas.
- Acinic cell carcinomas.
- Polymorphous adenocarcinomas.
- Secretory carcinomas.
Treatment for salivary gland tumors usually involves removing the mass. If the tumor is cancerous, further treatment is often necessary and may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy or targeted drug therapy.
What are some common symptoms of salivary gland conditions?
The primary symptom of salivary gland conditions is dry mouth. If you have dry mouth, ask your healthcare provider about treatment options. If medications are causing dry mouth, your provider might be able to switch your prescriptions or decrease your dosages. They may also recommend products that can help keep your mouth lubricated.
What are some common tests to check salivary gland health?
There are several tests that your provider can use to determine the health of your salivary glands. These assessments may include a biopsy, salivary gland scan or additional imaging tests.
Salivary gland biopsy
During a biopsy, your healthcare provider collects cells or tissue samples — usually with a needle — from your salivary glands. The samples are then sent off to a pathology lab for analysis. Minor salivary gland biopsy typically requires a small incision on the inside of your lip to remove a few glands.
Salivary gland scan
If your healthcare provider suspects you have a salivary gland issue, they may recommend a salivary gland scan. This test uses a specialized camera and a radioactive tracer to capture images of your salivary glands.
Before the scan, your provider injects the liquid tracer into a vein in your arm. The liquid moves through your blood and then into your salivary glands. Next, the camera takes pictures that tell your provider how much of the liquid stays in your salivary glands. This test is often used to diagnose dry mouth or salivary gland swelling.
