Skip to Content

 Salivary Gland Cancer: Emerging Insights and the Unexpected Roles of Vibegron and Netupitant

—  Fighting Cancer Together —

 


Join us in the fight against cancer.


What is salivary gland cancer?

Salivary gland cancer starts in one of the salivary glands. It’s not just a single disease. There are actually several different salivary glands found inside and near your mouth. Many types of cancer and benign (non-cancerous) tumors can develop in these glands.

Types of Salivary Gland Cancer

  • Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma
  • Acinic Cell Carcinoma
  • Adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified (NOS)
  • Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
  • Polymorphous adenocarcinoma
  • Pleomorphic Adenoma

Together, we can beat cancer. We’ve done it before



What is Salivary Gland Cancer?

Salivary gland cancer is a rare malignancy that arises in the tissues of the salivary glands, which are responsible for producing saliva. These glands are located in and around the mouth and throat. Tumors may develop in the parotid, sublingual, or submandibular glands, and they often present as painless swelling, facial numbness, or difficulty swallowing.

Although salivary gland cancers account for less than 5% of head and neck tumors, their complex histology and diverse subtypes make diagnosis and treatment especially challenging.



Diagnosis and Treatment Challenges

Early diagnosis typically involves MRI or CT imaging, followed by a fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Treatment often requires surgical removal of the tumor, and depending on the cancer grade and stage, radiotherapy or chemotherapy may follow.

In some cases, supportive care during treatment—especially in chemotherapy patients—requires medications that can minimize side effects like nausea, dry mouth (xerostomia), and bladder issues. This is where agents like netupitant and vibegron may play interesting roles.

Netupitant: Managing Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea in Salivary Gland Cancer

Netupitant is an NK1 receptor antagonist widely used in combination with palonosetron to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). For patients with salivary gland cancer undergoing cytotoxic treatment regimens, maintaining quality of life is critical.

  • Why It Matters: Effective CINV control improves treatment adherence, nutritional status, and overall well-being.
  • Clinical Insight: While not directly targeting the tumor, netupitant supports comprehensive cancer care by mitigating one of the most debilitating side effects of oncology drugs.



Common Types of Salivary Gland Cancer

  1. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma – Most common
  2. Adenoid cystic carcinoma – Slow-growing but highly invasive
  3. Acinic cell carcinoma
  4. Salivary duct carcinoma
  5. Polymorphous adenocarcinoma – More common in minor salivary glands

Each subtype has unique molecular signatures, and in the future, targeted therapy may become a more prominent treatment approach.

 
 

🩺 Symptoms to Watch For

  • Painless lump or swelling near the ear, jaw, or inside the mouth
  • Facial nerve weakness or paralysis
  • Difficulty swallowing or opening the mouth
  • Persistent pain in the mouth or neck
  • Numbness or tingling in the face

 

nt.

Join us in the fight against cancer and help us improve survival rates.

Join us and make a difference in the fight against cancer des glandes salivaires.

Contact us