Parotid Tumors

A parotid gland tumor is an abnormal mass or tumor on your parotid gland. Your parotid gland is the largest of your three salivary glands and is found just in front of each of your ears. Most parotid gland tumors are noncancerous (benign), but about 20% are malignant (cancerous). A cancerous tumor on your parotid gland is the most common form of salivary gland cancer.

Both tumor types are rare. Each year, cancerous parotid gland tumors affect 1 in 100,000 people worldwide. Experts don’t know the exact number of people who have noncancerous parotid gland tumors but estimate the condition may affect 1 to 6 in 100,000 people worldwide.