Causes of Salivary gland cancer
List of causes of Salivary gland cancer
Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions
(see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Salivary gland cancer)
that could possibly cause Salivary gland cancer includes:
- Exposure to radiation
- Use of tobacco
- Family history of salivary gland cancer
- Diet- Eating large amounts of animal fats and low quantities of vegetables may increase the risk of salivary gland cancer
- Age -Additionally, people older than 60 are more likely to develop salivary gland cancer
Salivary gland cancer Causes: Book Excerpts
Salivary gland cancer as a symptom:
Conditions listing Salivary gland cancer
as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Salivary gland cancer.
Our database lists the following as having
Salivary gland cancer as a symptom of that condition:
Medical news summaries relating to Salivary gland cancer:
The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Salivary gland cancer:
Related information on causes of Salivary gland cancer:
As with all medical conditions,
there may be many causal factors.
Further relevant information on causes of Salivary gland cancer may be found in:
Causes of Salivary gland cancer: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the causes of Salivary gland cancer.
Oral Lesions:
Differential Diagnosis
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
-
Aphthous stomatitis
–Idiopathic
–Recurrent, shallow, painful, spontaneously
resolving oral ulcers -
Herpes stomatitis
–Due to a primary outbreak of HSV-1
–Severe gingivostomatitis with pain, redness,
and erosions around the gum line
–Recurrent oral HSV (“cold sores”) often occur at the lip border
–Stress, sun exposure, and many other factors contribute to flare-ups
-
Self-limited viral disease (e.g., herpangina,
hand-foot-mouth disease)
–Most often seen in children
–Prodrome of malaise and fever followed by
a 5–10 day outbreak of oropharyngeal erosions or vesicles is common
-
Chemotherapy drugs (especially 5-FU and methotrexate)
-
Squamous cell carcinoma should always be considered if a nonhealing ulcer or oral erosion is noted
-
Bullous diseases (e.g., pemphigoid,
pemphigus, lichen planus)
–Recurrent painful oral ulcers and erosions
–Evaluate for other skin rashes suggestive of
these disorders
-
Behçet syndrome
–Uncommon but well-known cause of oral ulcers
–Patients must exhibit other symptoms (e.g., uveitis, CNS problems, GI complaints, genital ulcers) before this diagnosis can be made
-
Allergic contact dermatitis to amalgams in dental work may result in buccal tenderness
-
Erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
–Characterized by oral ulcers, ocular involvement, and simultaneous targetoid, erythematous, or bullous skin lesions
–May be triggered by HSV infection, Mycoplasma infection, or drugs (e.g., phenytoin, sulfonamides)
-
Primary syphilis
–Painless chancre
-
Agranulocytosis or leukopenia
-
Histoplasmosis (especially in immunosuppressed patients)
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Salivary Gland Enlargement:
Differential Diagnosis
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
-
Congenital
–First branchial cleft cyst
–Retention cyst
–Ectopic rests of salivary tissue
-
Infectious/inflammatory
–Mumps (before immunization) was the most
common salivary gland inflammatory disease
–HIV
–Coxsackie A
–Echovirus
–Viral sialoadenitis
–Acute bacterial sialoadenitis: Typically
Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus viridans
–Sialolithiasis
-
Vascular lesions
–Hemangiomas: Most common salivary gland
mass in children
–Lymphangioma
-
Benign tumors
–Pleomorphic adenomas: Most common solid
benign tumor
–Warthin tumors
–Oncocytoma
–Adenomas
-
Malignant tumors
–Mucoepidermoid carcinoma: Most common
–Acinic cell carcinoma
–Adenoid cystic carcinoma
–Undifferentiated carcinoma
–Lymphoma
–Rhabdomyosarcoma
–Squamous cell carcinoma
-
Trauma (may often be associated with facial nerve injury)
-
Systemic diseases
–Diffuse bilateral salivary gland enlargement: often associated with diabetes mellitus, cystic fibrosis, thyroid disease, malnutrition, obesity, autoimmune disorders (Sjögren)
–Granulomatous disease: tuberculosis, atypical Mycobacterium, sarcoidosis, cat-scratch disease
- Drugs such as methimazole, thiourea, phenothiazine, thiocyanate
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Introduction: Malignant Neoplasms:
What causes cancer?
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Researchers have found that cancer develops from mutations within the genes of cells. Thus, cancer is a genetic disease. Cancer susceptibility genes are of two types. Some are oncogenes, which activate cell division and influence embryonic development, and some are tumor suppressor genes, which halt cell division.
These genes are typically found in normal human cells, but certain kinds of mutations may transform the normal cells. Inherited defects may cause a genetic mutation, whereas exposure to a carcinogen may cause an acquired mutation. Current evidence indicates that carcinogenesis results from a complex interaction of carcinogens and accumulated mutations in several genes.
In animal studies of the ability of viruses to transform cells, some human viruses exhibit carcinogenic potential. For example, the Epstein-Barr virus, the cause of infectious mononucleosis, has been linked to Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal cancer.
High-frequency radiation, such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, damages the genetic material known as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), possibly inducing genetically transferable abnormalities. Other factors, such as a person's tissue type and hormonal status, interact to potentiate radiation's carcinogenic effect. Examples of substances that may damage DNA and induce carcinogenesis include:
❑alkylating agents — leukemia
❑aromatic hydrocarbons and benzopyrene (from polluted air) — lung cancer
❑asbestos — mesothelioma of the lung
❑tobacco — cancer of the lung, oral cavity and upper airways, esophagus, pancreas, kidneys, and bladder
❑vinyl chloride — angiosarcoma of the liver.
Diet has also been implicated, especially in the development of GI cancer as a result of a high animal fat diet. Additives composed of nitrates and certain methods of food preparation — particularly charbroiling — are also recognized factors.
The role of hormones in carcinogenesis is still controversial, but it seems that excessive use of some hormones, especially estrogen, produces cancer in animals. Also, the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol causes vaginal cancer in some daughters of women who were treated with it. It's unclear, however, whether changes in human hormonal balance retard or stimulate cancer development.
Some forms of cancer and precancerous lesions result from genetic predisposition either directly (as in Wilms' tumor and retinoblastoma) or indirectly (in association with inherited conditions such as Down syndrome or immunodeficiency diseases). Expressed as autosomal recessive, X-linked, or autosomal dominant disorders, their common characteristics include:
❑early onset of malignant disease
❑increased incidence of bilateral cancer in paired organs (breasts, adrenal glands, kidneys, and eighth cranial nerve [acoustic neuroma])
❑increased incidence of multiple primary malignancies in nonpaired organs
❑abnormal chromosome complement in tumor cells.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Malignant spinal neoplasms:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Primary tumors of the spinal cord may be extramedullary (occurring outside the spinal cord) or intramedullary (occurring within the cord itself). Extramedullary tumors may be intradural (meningiomas and schwannomas), which account for 60% of all primary malignant spinal cord neoplasms, or extradural (metastatic tumors from breasts, lungs, prostate, leukemia, or lymphomas), which account for 25% of these malignant neoplasms.
Intramedullary tumors, or gliomas (astrocytomas or ependymomas), are comparatively rare, accounting for only about 10%. In children, they're low-grade astrocytomas.
Spinal cord tumors are rare compared with intracranial tumors (ratio of 1:4). They occur equally in men and women, with the exception of meningiomas, which occur mostly in women. Spinal cord tumors can occur anywhere along the length of the cord or its roots.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Oral Lesions:
Differential Overview
(Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
Ulceration
❑ Aphthous ulcers
❑ Angular cheilitis
❑ Herpes simplex
❑ Traumatic ulcers
❑ Impetigo
❑ Erythema multiforme
❑ Mucositis
❑ Lichen planus
❑ Squamous cell cancer
❑ Syphilis
❑ Coxsackievirus A
❑ Herpes zoster
❑ Primary HIV
❑ Crohn disease
❑ Behçet syndrome
❑ Acute leukemia
❑ Pemphigoid
Glossitis
❑ Vitamin B12 deficiency
❑ Folate deficiency
❑ Niacin deficiency
❑ Riboflavin deficiency
❑ Leukoplakia
❑ Candida
❑ Geographic tongue
❑ Black hairy tongue
❑ Scarlet fever
❑ Kwashiorkor
❑ Polyarteritis nodosa
Macroglossia
❑ Myxedema
❑ Angioedema
❑ Acromegaly
❑ Amyloidosis
Clinical Findings
Aphthous ulcers They occur on nonkeratinized mucosa as single lesions or clusters of small, shallow, painful, clearly defined ulcers with an erythematous halo and a white base. There are usually no systemic symptoms or lymphadenopathy. These ulcers stereotypically recur.
Angular cheilitis Tender fissuring at the corner of the mouth can be caused by Candida and either iron or vitamin B12 deficiency.
Herpes simplex An acute outbreak consists of labial vesicles that rupture and crust, and intraoral vesicles that quickly ulcerate. The lesions are usually quite painful and associated with fever, malaise, pharyngitis, and tender cervical lymphadenopathy. Recurrent lesions usually occur at the vermilion border and are preceded by localized burning dysesthesias.
Traumatic ulcers These ulcers occur at the bite margin or adjacent to dentures.
Impetigo Perioral painful shallow erosions spread rapidly. They are red and weeping, with honey-colored crusts.
Erythema multiforme The onset is rapid and progresses to systemic toxicity. Intraoral ruptured bullae surrounded by erythema become painful mucosal erosions with gray exudate. Hemorrhagic crusts appear on the lips. An extensive maculopapular rash develops on the extensor surfaces and is characterized by target and polycyclic lesions and persisting urticarial plaques. Target lesions on the hands and feet are pathognomonic.
Mucositis Initially there is a burning with diffuse mucosal redness and shininess that progresses to painful ulcers, then the tongue and buccal mucosa become denuded. There may also be a yellow pseudomembrane or hemorrhagic crust. This condition is found with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, agranulocytosis, and cancer chemotherapy.
Lichen planus Lacy mucosal striae break down into painful erosions. This is often associated with drugs such as chloroquine, furosemide, gold, lithium, methyldopa, phenothiazines, propranolol, quinidine, spironolactone, tetracycline, or thiazides.
Squamous cell cancer The ulcer is painless, malodorous, and indolent. It arises in an area of leukoplakia, bleeds easily, and has an elevated, indurated border. The presenting symptom is often pain, which may be referred to the ear, or dysphonia.
Syphilis A primary chancre is a painless ulcer with an indurated copper border and unilateral lymphadenopathy. Secondary lesions are linear “snail track” ulcers and gray mucous patches on the lips, tonsils, and palate. There is concurrent generalized rash and fever. A tertiary gumma is a firm, broad, ulcerated plaque that may produce palatal perforation.
Coxsackievirus A Herpangina presents with fever, sore throat, and grayish-white vesicles with a red halo, which quickly ulcerate. Hand, foot, and mouth disease (A16) has similar pharyngeal lesions accompanied by other lesions in the forenamed distribution.
Herpes zoster A vesicular eruption with ulceration stops at the midline. Vesicles will also be present on the lower midface. Burning pain is characteristic.
Primary HIV The most common presentation is a febrile mononucleosislike illness. Acute gingivitis and ulceration may be part of the spectrum.
Crohn disease Oral ulcers may occur when intestinal disease is active, with symptoms of diarrhea, mucus, and blood.
Behçet syndrome Multiple aphthous ulcers of the mouth occur with uveitis and genital ulcers.
Acute leukemia Gingival swelling and superficial ulceration occur; hyperplasia, hemorrhage, and necrosis ensue. Deep ulcers may occur elsewhere on the mucosa, and they often become secondarily infected.
Pemphigoid Painful grayish-white collapsed vesicles or bullae ulcerate when on the gingiva. Bullae may also involve the eyes, urethra, vagina, or rectum.
Vitamin B12 deficiency The tongue is beefy red, smooth, edematous, and painful. Pinpoint dots occur as a result of hyperemic capillaries and atrophied papillae. Peripheral neuropathy is commonly concurrent.
Folate deficiency It is similar in presentation to B12 deficiency but occurs more rapidly with nutritional depletion (e.g., alcoholics).
Niacin deficiency Pellagra produces a burning sensation with hot or spicy food, without a visible abnormality early in the course. Later there is an increase in papilla and redness of the tongue’s tip and sides, and then fiery redness and swelling with desquamation occur. It is associated with severe watery diarrhea, red skin eruptions, and confusion.
Riboflavin deficiency When advanced, the tongue looks magenta. Associated findings include a “shark skin” nose and conjunctival injection.
Leukoplakia Early lesions are thin, pearly, and crinkled, especially on the lateral border of the tongue. A white-gray thickened epithelium without papillae appears later. Oral hairy leukoplakia is a sentinel finding of HIV infection, and is caused by concurrent EBV infection.
Candida The tongue is bright red with cottage cheese-like material on the surface. Predisposing conditions include diabetes, dentures, recent antibiotics, or chemotherapy. In the absence of these factors, or severe or recalcitrant disease, HIV should be considered.
Geographic tongue The surface has a changing demarcated pattern. There may be oral discomfort or burning. This finding is present in serious illness with antibiotic use.
Black hairy tongue Elongated filiform papillae which may be discolored a yellow to brownish tone create the appearance. Associated conditions include antibiotic use, oral candidiasis, and poor oral hygeine.
Scarlet fever A “strawberry tongue” occurs in a patient with a confluent rash that has the texture of fine sandpaper.
Kwashiorkor Glossitis occurs early and is later accompanied by generalized edema and ascites.
Polyarteritis nodosa The patient presents with a diffusely inflamed, orange-red tongue that has a burning sensation.
Myxedema In addition to tongue enlargement, facial and pretibial skin is coarse, the voice is low and husky, and the relaxation phase of the deep tendon reflexes is delayed.
Angioedema Acute edema of tissues frequently includes the tongue. Similar findings may occur with food allergies (e.g., shellfish), drug reactions (penicillin), and serum sickness.
Acromegaly Tissues are generally thickened, and tongue enlargement is associated with jaw protrusion, malocclusion, and teeth that are widely spaced and tilt outward.
Amyloidosis Tongue enlargement occurs with enlargement of other viscera and with peripheral neuropathy.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis, 2007
What causes cancer and why is it so hard to treat? Leading experts provide an overview of cancer, from what goes wrong in a cell's genetic...
Germs are a fact of life and catching an infectious disease like a cold may seem inevitable. But there are simple ways to protect yourself against...
Stress takes its toll by making us anxious, depressed and not able to function as fully as we'd like. What many don't know is that stress can...
Health insurance is important to everyone, especially people with chronic conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Tune in to...
See full list of 4 related videos
» Next page: Risk Factors for Salivary gland cancer
Rate This Website
What do you think about the features of this website?
Take our user survey and have your say:
Website User Survey
Medical Tools & Articles:
Next articles:
Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Forums & Message Boards
- Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
