The purpose of this analysis is to determine the predictors of 5 year overall survival in patients with lesser major (submandibular, sublingual) and minor salivary glands cancer. A historical cohort of 97 patients with submandibular, sublingual and minor salivary glands cancer excluding sinus tumors with a median follow-up of 56.5 months was analyzed. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test were used for subgroup survival analysis. Multivariate models employing Cox's proportional hazard models were used to determine the predictors of 5 year overall survival. The mean age of the cohort was 56 years. The site of involvement was submandibular in 46.39%, sublingual in 8.2% and minor salivary glands in 45.36%. The 5 year overall survival, disease-specific survival and disease-free survival were 65%, 81% and 56%, respectively. 5 year survival was 71% in patients treated with surgery alone, 67% treated with radiation only, 65% with combination of surgery and radiotherapy, and 0% for palliation (p<0.0001). Multivariable Cox's proportional hazard model identified site, age and treatment modality affecting 5 year overall survival. Patients with submandibular gland cancer had a greater risk of dying within the 5 year period as compared to patients with minor salivary glands cancer (HR=3.3; 95% CI=1.4- 7.9; p<0.01). Surgery followed by adjuvant radiation had 75% protective effect on the hazard of death as compared to other treatment modalities (HR=0.25; 95% CI=0.1-0.7; p<0.001). Site, age and treatment modalities are important predictors of survival in small salivary gland cancer. [Turk J Cancer 2008;38(4):159-166]