Section Editor: Jason Wasserman MD PhD FRCPC
May 23, 2026
The salivary glands make saliva, the fluid that keeps the mouth moist and helps with chewing, swallowing, and digestion. There are three large pairs of salivary glands — the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands — along with hundreds of small glands in the lining of the mouth and throat. When tissue is removed from a salivary gland, a pathologist examines it under a microscope and describes what they see in your pathology report.
This page brings together our guides to conditions found in the salivary glands. The articles are grouped by type to help you find the one that matches your diagnosis. Many salivary gland tumors are noncancerous, and the articles below explain what each diagnosis means. Select any article below to learn more.
Cancerous tumors
These diagnoses are cancers that start in a salivary gland. Many different types can develop here, and they range widely in how they behave. The articles explain how each cancer is diagnosed and what your pathology report describes.
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common cancer of the salivary glands. This article explains how it is diagnosed, how it is graded, and what the details in your pathology report mean.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions mucoepidermoid carcinoma, or a low grade, intermediate grade, or high grade salivary gland cancer.
Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a slow-growing salivary gland cancer that is known for spreading along nerves. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what your pathology report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions adenoid cystic carcinoma or cancer growing along a nerve (perineural invasion).
Acinic cell carcinoma is a salivary gland cancer that develops from the cells that make saliva. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what your pathology report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions acinic cell carcinoma of a salivary gland.
Secretory carcinoma is a salivary gland cancer defined by a specific gene change. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what your pathology report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions secretory carcinoma or an ETV6 gene change.
Polymorphous adenocarcinoma is a slow-growing cancer that usually develops in the small salivary glands of the mouth. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what your report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions polymorphous adenocarcinoma, sometimes called polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma.
Salivary duct carcinoma is a fast-growing salivary gland cancer. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions salivary duct carcinoma or testing for HER2 or androgen receptor.
Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma
Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma is an uncommon salivary gland cancer made of two types of cells. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what your pathology report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma.
Basal cell adenocarcinoma is a rare, usually slow-growing salivary gland cancer. It is the cancerous counterpart of basal cell adenoma. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions basal cell adenocarcinoma of a salivary gland.
Myoepithelial carcinoma is a salivary gland cancer made of myoepithelial cells, a type of cell normally found around the gland’s ducts. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions myoepithelial carcinoma of a salivary gland.
Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma
Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma is a rare, slow-growing cancer that usually develops in the small salivary glands of the mouth and throat. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma or a clear cell carcinoma.
Lymphoepithelial carcinoma is a rare salivary gland cancer that is often linked to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This article explains how it is diagnosed and what your pathology report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions lymphoepithelial carcinoma or a connection to the Epstein-Barr virus.
Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma
Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma is a cancer that develops within a pleomorphic adenoma, a common noncancerous salivary gland tumor. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma, or a cancer that arose in a long-standing salivary gland lump.
Noncancerous tumors
These diagnoses are noncancerous tumors of the salivary glands. They do not spread to other parts of the body, although they are usually removed with surgery. The articles explain what each diagnosis means.
Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common noncancerous tumor of the salivary glands. This article explains what this diagnosis means, how it is treated, and why follow-up matters.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a pleomorphic adenoma or a benign mixed tumor of a salivary gland.
Warthin tumor is a common noncancerous salivary gland tumor that almost always develops in the parotid gland. This article explains what this diagnosis means and how it is treated.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a Warthin tumor, or a benign tumor of the parotid gland.
Basal cell adenoma is a noncancerous salivary gland tumor made of basal cells. This article explains what this diagnosis means and how it is treated.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a basal cell adenoma of a salivary gland.
Canalicular adenoma is a noncancerous salivary gland tumor that usually develops in the small glands of the upper lip. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a canalicular adenoma, or a small painless lump on the upper lip.
Striated duct adenoma is a rare, noncancerous salivary gland tumor. This article explains what this diagnosis means and how it is treated.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a striated duct adenoma.
Myoepithelioma is a noncancerous salivary gland tumor made of myoepithelial cells. This article explains what this diagnosis means and how it is treated.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a myoepithelioma of a salivary gland.
Oncocytoma is a noncancerous salivary gland tumor made of large cells called oncocytes. This article explains what this diagnosis means and how it is treated.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions an oncocytoma of a salivary gland.
Tumors of uncertain type
These are terms a pathologist uses when a salivary gland tumor cannot yet be given a precise diagnosis, often because the sample came from a small needle biopsy. More testing, or removal of the whole tumor, is usually needed to reach a final diagnosis. The articles explain what these terms mean.
Biphasic salivary gland neoplasm
Biphasic salivary gland neoplasm is a general term for a tumor made of two types of cells. It is used when a precise diagnosis cannot yet be made. This article explains what this term means and what happens next.
You may find this helpful if your report or biopsy result mentions a biphasic salivary gland neoplasm.
Salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (SUMP)
This term is used when a salivary gland tumor has been found but it is not yet clear whether it is cancerous. It is most often used after a needle biopsy. This article explains what this result means and what happens next.
You may find this helpful if your biopsy result mentions SUMP or a salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential.
Other noncancerous conditions
These diagnoses are not cancer. They include cysts and inflammation of the salivary glands. The articles explain what each diagnosis means.
A lymphoepithelial cyst is a noncancerous, fluid-filled sac that can form in or near a salivary gland. This article explains what this diagnosis means and how it is treated.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a lymphoepithelial cyst, or a soft swelling in or near the parotid gland.
IgG4-related sialadenitis is a noncancerous condition in which the immune system causes long-lasting inflammation and swelling of a salivary gland. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions IgG4-related sialadenitis, or you have ongoing swelling of a salivary gland.
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