TriangleFOR PATIENTS · SOURCE READING
Treatment of Stage III Salivary Gland Cancer
Source: Salivary Gland Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: March 14, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
For information about the treatments listed below, see the Treatment Option Overview section.
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Treatment for stage III salivary gland cancer depends on whether the cancer is low-grade (slow growing) or high-grade (fast growing).
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If the cancer is low-grade, treatment may include the following:
Surgery with or without lymphadenectomy. Radiation therapy may also be given after surgery.
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Radiation therapy.
Fast-neutron radiation therapy to lymph nodes with cancer.
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Chemotherapy.
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A clinical trial of fast-neutron radiation therapy to the tumor.
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A clinical trial of chemotherapy.
If the cancer is high-grade, treatment may include the following:
Surgery with or without lymphadenectomy. Radiation therapy may also be given after surgery.
Fast-neutron radiation therapy.
Radiation therapy as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
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A clinical trial of radiation therapy and/or radiosensitizers.
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A clinical trial of chemotherapy.
Use our clinical trial search to find NCI-supported cancer clinical trials that are accepting patients. You can search for trials based on the type of cancer, the age of the patient, and where the trials are being done. General information about clinical trials is also available.
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Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice