Salivary gland cancer (SGC) is a rare cancer that affects both major and minor salivary glands. The parotid, submandibular, and sublingual major salivary glands are located on each side of the face, and there are hundreds of minor salivary glands located throughout the oral cavity. A majority of SGCs originate in the parotid and the submandibular glands [1]. SGC occurs at an annual rate of 3 cases per 100,000 people [2]. In Ontario, there were 1,222 incident cases and 235 deaths of SGC between 2012 and 2016 [3].
Ionizing radiation is an established risk factor for SGC, particularly during radiotherapy to the head and neck, and during dental or head and neck X-rays [4]. The role of several occupational exposures has also been suggested.
Suspected occupational exposures
Elevated risk of salivary gland cancer was observed among workers in various occupations, with potential exposure to ionizing radiation, nitrosamines, styrene, metal dusts, and several others. As this form of cancer is rare, many groups in the ODSS had a smaller number of cases and results should be interpreted with caution.
Workers in the health care sector are exposed to many known carcinogens such as ionizing radiation from diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy equipment, and formaldehyde [10], which has been associated with increased risk of SGC previously [11]. Nurses, nursing assistants, and orderlies are among the occupation groups with the highest exposure to ionizing radiation [10]. Health care workers may also be exposed to Epstein-Barr virus, which has been linked to SGC [4].
Numerous studies have shown rubber and plastic work associated to risk of SGC [6–9]. Elevated risks were observed in the overall industry and specific to plastics fabricating. Exposure to styrene in plastic manufacturing work may be associated with risk of SGC [9]. Rubber workers may be exposed to nitrosamines, which also may increase risk of SGC [6–8].
Workers in metal-related work may be exposed to nickel alloy dust and chromium VI compounds, which may be linked to risk of SGC [6,13]. Mining and quarrying workers may also be exposed to various metals, as well as other carcinogenic exposures, such as diesel engine exhaust, which may be associated with increased SGC risk [14].
Other groups were observed to have excess risks of SGC. Specifically, physical sciences technologists and technicians had the highest increased risk for SGC in the ODSS cohort. This group may be exposed to radioactive material and equipment that emits ionizing radiation. For other groups it is unclear what risk factors may be involved.
Figure 1. Risk of salivary gland cancer diagnosis among workers employed in each industry group relative to all others, Occupational Disease Surveillance System (ODSS), 1999-2020
The hazard ratio is an estimate of the average time to diagnosis among workers in each industry/occupation group divided by that in all others during the study period. Hazard ratios above 1.00 indicate a greater risk of disease in a given group compared to all others. Estimates are adjusted for birth year and sex. The width of the 95% Confidence Interval (CI) is based on the number of cases in each group (more cases narrows the interval).
Figure 2. Risk of salivary gland cancer diagnosis among workers employed in each occupation group relative to all others, Occupational Disease Surveillance System (ODSS), 1999-2020
