stage IVB salivary gland cancer

Stage IV salivary gland cancer is divided into stages IVA, IVB, and IVC. In stage IVB, (1) the tumor is any size and cancer may have spread to soft tissue around the salivary gland or to the skin, jawbone, ear canal, and/or facial nerve. Cancer has spread (a) to one lymph node larger than 6 centimeters and cancer has not grown outside the lymph node; or (b) to one lymph node on the same side of the head or neck as the tumor; the lymph node is larger than 3 centimeters and cancer has grown outside the lymph node; or (c) to more than one lymph node on the same side of the head or neck as the tumor, on the side opposite the primary tumor, or on both sides of the head or neck; cancer has grown outside any of the lymph nodes; or (d) to one lymph node of any size on the side of the head or neck opposite the primary tumor; cancer has grown outside the lymph node; OR (2) cancer has spread to the bottom of the skull and/or surrounds the carotid artery. Cancer may have spread to one or more lymph nodes of any size on either or both sides of the head or neck and may have grown outside the lymph nodes.