ENT Liu Knowledge Base Head & neck tumours · physician reviewed
Salivary Gland Tumours · Prevention & risk

What are the risk factors for salivary gland tumours?

Reviewed: 8 November 2026 By: Xiangpeng Liu, MD Topic: Salivary Gland Tumours Answer length: short, citable
Quick answer

The main recognised risk factors for salivary gland tumours are previous ionising radiation to the head and neck (including childhood radiotherapy), cigarette smoking — strongly associated with Warthin tumour and sjögren syndrome and other autoimmune disease (lymphoma / MALT). Risks differ by region: Western Africa has a distinctive exposure pattern, so a patient's country of residence is part of the risk assessment. Having a risk factor does not mean a person will develop cancer.

In detail

Risk factors are probabilistic. Many patients have no obvious exposure, and most people with an exposure never develop a head and neck tumour. Tell your clinician about all tobacco, areca nut, alcohol, occupational and viral exposures, because this information changes follow-up planning.

  • Previous ionising radiation to the head and neck (including childhood radiotherapy)
  • Cigarette smoking — strongly associated with Warthin tumour
  • Sjögren syndrome and other autoimmune disease (lymphoma / MALT)
  • Occupational exposure to nickel compounds, silica, wood or leather dust in some studies
  • Prior benign pleomorphic adenoma, which can rarely transform into carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma
  • Viral associations in specific subtypes (e.g. EBV in lymphoepithelial carcinoma in endemic populations)

What this means in practice: this answer is part of the “Prevention & risk” section of the Salivary Gland Tumours topic. If you are comparing treatment options, also read how to compare a second opinion and which records to send.

Other common questions about salivary gland tumours

See all 14 questions in this topic →

Sources for this answer

  1. Global incidence of lip, oral cavity, and pharyngeal cancers by subsite in 2022 CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians · 2026 · Subsite-level estimates for 185 countries; the basis of the regional atlas on this site.
  2. Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN 2022) International Agency for Research on Cancer / WHO · 2022 · Source of worldwide and country-level incidence and mortality estimates.
  3. Nivolumab Risk Management Plan — epidemiological characteristics of SCCHN (GLOBOCAN 2022 summary) European Medicines Agency · 2025 · Reports the combined 947,211 head and neck cancer cases in 2022 and regional ASRs.
  4. NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Head and Neck Cancers National Comprehensive Cancer Network · 2025

Written and medically reviewed by Xiangpeng Liu, MD

Associate Chief Physician, ENT & Head/Neck Surgery · Chenzhou First People’s Hospital, Chenzhou, Hunan, China

Editorial policy & reviewer credentials · All sources

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Medical disclaimer: This knowledge base is general information for people researching head and neck tumours, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. It does not replace an examination by a qualified physician. Survival figures are population averages, not predictions for an individual. Treatment and cost estimates for China are illustrative only and must be confirmed in writing after your records have been reviewed. If you have a symptom lasting more than two to three weeks, see a doctor promptly.