The salivary glands consist of the 3 major salivary glands (parotid glands, submandibular gland and sublingual glands) and many minor glands located throughout the upper aerodigestive tract.

The parotid glands are located in front and beneath the ear. The submandibular glands are found on both sides, just under and deep to the jaw, toward the back of the mouth. The sublingual glands present beneath the tongue. These major salivary gland produces saliva and help in digestion of food.

The salivary glands cancer arises from parotid gland, submandibular gland and sublingual gland called parotid gland cancer, submandibular gland cancer and sublingual gland cancer respectively.

Salivary gland cancers are diverse with respect to origin and pathology. The most common histopathologic types are mucoepidermoid carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and salivary duct carcinoma.

Complete surgical excision with negative surgical margin is main treatment for salivary gland cancers. Extent of neck dissection is depending upon neck node involvement. Postoperative radiotherapy can be used as an adjuvant therapy in patients with high-risk factors. Role of adjuvant chemotherapy is still investigational.