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By Mayo Clinic staffSalivary gland cancer is often painless in its early stages. A common sign is a lump, mass or swelling in the area of a salivary gland. Just because you have a lump in the area of a salivary gland, however, doesn't necessarily mean you have cancer. More than half the tumors found in the salivary glands are noncancerous (benign).
Signs and symptoms that may indicate salivary gland cancer and a need to see your doctor include the following:
- A lump or swelling on or near your jaw or in your neck or mouth
- Numbness in part of your face
- Muscle weakness on one side of your face
- Persistent pain in the area of a salivary gland
- Difficulty swallowing
- Trouble opening your mouth widely
- A newly developed, noticeable difference in size between the right and left side of your face