The salivary glands are located on each side of the face and are responsible for making saliva to lubricate the mouth and throat. These glands also produce enzymes that help begin the process of digesting food, as well as antibodies that can help prevent infection. Abnormal growths (anomalies) and tumors can develop in a child’s salivary glands. In adult patients, most are benign, and few are malignant. But in children, these tumors are more often malignant. One of the greatest risk factors for the development of a salivary gland tumor in children is previous treatment for leukemia or another solid cancerous tumor. This includes radiation therapy to the neck or whole body, as well as chemotherapy. The most common symptom of a pediatric salivary gland tumor is a lump near the cheek, ear, jaw, or lip, or inside the mouth as well as weakness, numbness or pain in the face. Treatment of a salivary gland tumor typically begins with surgery to remove the growth and any affected surrounding tissue. If the tumor is located in the parotid gland (the salivary glands located in front of the ears), precise surgical planning and special neurological monitoring during the surgery is necessary to protect your child’s facial nerve. Depending on the size, stage and complexity of your child’s specific tumor, radiation therapy or targeted therapy may also be needed to fully treat the cancer. AdventHealth for Children’s Pediatric Head and Neck Program is experienced in caring for even the most complex and rare salivary gland anomalies and tumors, including: Acinic cell carcinoma Adenoid cystic carcinoma Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) NUT carcinoma Pleomorphic adenoma Ranula