Parotid salivary gland tumor

Salivary gland tumors are mostly benign and will usually be found in the parotid gland. About 10 to 12% of salivary gland tumors are located in the submandibular gland, and nearly half of those tumors can be malignant. However, patients often arrive late, making treatment difficult. The following article will clarify common parotid salivary gland tumors and effective intervention solutions.

Parotid tumors are abnormal growths of cells (tumors) that form in the parotid glands. The parotid glands are two salivary glands located just in front of the ears on each side of the face. The salivary glands secrete saliva to aid in the chewing and digestion of food.
There are many salivary glands in the lips, cheeks, mouth and throat. Tumors can occur in any of these glands, but the parotid gland is the most common site of salivary gland tumors. Most parotid tumors are not cancerous (benign), although some can become cancerous.
A salivary gland tumor or parotid tumor is cancer that starts in one of your salivary glands. It's not just a single disease but it's also about many different salivary glands near and inside your mouth. Many types of cancerous (benign) and cancerous tumors can develop in these salivary glands. Salivary gland cancer is uncommon and accounts for less than one percent of cancers in the U.S. Each year, about one in every 100,000 people in the United States gets this cancer. Overall, about 72% of individuals diagnosed with salivary gland cancer are still alive at least 5 years after diagnosis, including those with all stages and types of cancer.

Parotid (salivary gland) tumors occur in people of all ages, however, they become more common as individuals age. Sixty-four is the mean age diagnosis made.
Common parotid salivary gland tumors are the term used to describe the abnormal growth and gradual formation of tumors in the cells of the parotid gland. There are two main types of the disease:
Benign tumor: This is the most common form, also known as Warthin tumor or mixed tumor, which is painless and slow growing. Most cases are discovered incidentally through ultrasound. This form of tumor is basically benign and does not cause health problems, but without treatment, over time it can turn into a malignant tumor.
Malignant tumor: Malignant parotid salivary gland tumor is painful to the touch and has the ability to grow very quickly. The tumor can adhere to surrounding tissue, causing varying degrees of paralysis of the facial nerve.
Causes of parotid salivary gland tumors:
Parotid salivary gland tumors are mainly caused by: viruses (usually EBV or SV40), ionizing radiation, occupational exposure in exposed occupations with toxic chemicals, nutrition and unscientific lifestyle,...
Basically, the exact cause of this disease is still unknown. The above factors are considered to increase the risk of disease. In addition, smoking or metastatic skin cancer can also promote the formation of salivary gland tumors in the parotid.

When the salivary glands are larger than normal, mainly in the parotid glands, it is considered more likely to have a tumor. Although it may be a benign tumor, you still need to see a doctor and get tested to get an accurate diagnosis. Examination methods include:
Examination: First, the doctor will look at the swelling, identify changes in the skin on the surface, and see the movement of the facial muscles on that side. Palpate to find tumor in and around the neck and face, assess the size, limit and mobility of that tumor. X-ray: After examining, your doctor will order you to take X-rays of the salivary glands to find a relatively clear image of the tumor. Ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI for accurate assessment of tumor size, invasion, and metastasis to lymph nodes in the neck region. If imaging suggests metastasis, there is a high risk that it is a malignancy. Biopsy: The doctor uses a fine needle or core needle to poke the tumor, aspirate a sample of cells and fluid in it to make a pathology to determine for sure what type of tumor is, benign or malignant.

Salivary gland tumors are mainly caused by:
Infections Cirrhosis ascites Salivary duct stones Major repair surgeries on the hip and abdomen Sjogren's syndrome Dehydration Salivary gland infections Other cancers Sarcoidosis ( granuloma)

The most common symptom of parotid salivary gland tumor is a solitary, slow-growing, painless mass in the early stages. After many years, patients will often come to the clinic with the following signs: the tumor increases in size, the skin on the tumor is high, the skin color is normal, the tumor is hard to touch, soft, and mobile.
Depending on the location of the tumor, it is possible to have different manifestations. In the parotid salivary glands, signs of facial nerve (VII) palsy, such as slight mouth distortion... appear when the tumor is large or malignant transformation. Tumors in the deep lobe of the parotid salivary gland can be seen or palpated behind the tonsils or parapharyngeal. Tumors in the accessory salivary glands can be found in many places with different local symptoms. Nosebleeds or stuffy nose may be the first sign of an accessory salivary gland tumor in the nasal septum. While tumors at the base of the tongue cause a feeling of swallowing and choking. Tumors in the mouth can lead to tight jaw...
If malignant degeneration can be accompanied by signs such as rapid growth in size of tumors, especially tumors of large size. Small, ulcerated skin on the tumor, hard, firm, limited mobility and facial nerve paralysis.

Your doctor will do a physical exam, order a CT or MRI scan, and take a biopsy (tissue sample) to see if your parotid salivary gland tumor is benign. If it becomes cancerous, they will classify it based on the location and size of the parotid gland.
The stages are:
Stage I: The tumor is very small (no more than two centimeters) and has not spread to other areas of the body. Stage II: The tumor is slightly larger (two to four centimeters) but is still within the original gland. Stage III: The tumor has spread from the gland, possibly to lymph nodes located in the neck on the same side. Stage IV: The tumor has definitely spread to your lymph nodes and possibly to other areas of your body. Doctors will also give salivary gland tumors a certain grade from one to three to measure how fast the cancer cells are growing.
Grade 1: This is a low grade cancer and still has a high chance of cure. It grows slowly and looks no different from your normal cells. Grade 2: The cancer is growing moderately fast. Grade 3: The cancer is growing rapidly. Treatment options for parotid gland tumors will depend on the stage, size, type, extent, and location of your cancer. Your doctor will also take into account your general health and age.
The most common treatment for parotid adenocarcinoma is surgery, especially those that are slower growing and in the early stages. It may involve a surgeon removing part of your salivary gland or all of it. They can remove your lymph nodes and may do some reconstructive work on your neck and face.
Treatment of parotid tumors usually includes surgery to remove the tumor. If the tumor contains cancer cells, your doctor may recommend additional treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

5.1. Surgery Operations used to remove parotid tumors include:
Partial removal of the parotid gland. For most parotid gland tumors, the surgeon can remove the tumor and some healthy parotid gland tissue around it (superficial parotidectomy).
Removal of the entire parotid gland. Total parotidectomy (total parotidectomy) may be recommended for larger tumors and those affecting deeper parts of the parotid gland.
More extensive surgery for larger cancers. If the parotid gland cancer has grown into nearby bone and muscle, a more extensive surgery may be needed. The surgeon tries to remove all of the cancer and a small amount of healthy tissue that surrounds it. They then work to repair the area so you can continue to chew, swallow, speak, breathe, and move your face. This may involve transferring skin, tissue, bone, or nerves from other parts of the body for repair.
To access the parotid gland, the surgeon makes an incision near the ear. During surgery, special care should be taken to avoid injuring adjacent structures, such as the facial nerve that runs through the parotid gland. The facial nerve controls facial movement, so stretching or cutting the nerve can cause partial or complete paralysis of the face, which can be temporary or permanent.
If the facial nerve must be cut to remove the entire tumor, the surgeon can repair it using nerves from other areas of your body or grafting the processed nerve from donors.
5.2. Radiation therapy Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays, protons, or neutrons, to kill cancer cells. If your parotid tumor is cancerous, radiation therapy may be recommended after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. Radiation therapy is sometimes used as an initial treatment when surgery is not an option.
5.3. Chemotherapy Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It is not used routinely to treat parotid tumors. But it is sometimes combined with radiation therapy to treat parotid adenocarcinoma that has a high risk of spreading or cancer that cannot be completely removed with surgery. Chemotherapy may also be an option for people with advanced parotid cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
Most salivary gland tumors grow slowly and are not cancerous. Removing the tumor with surgery will usually cure the condition. Sometimes the tumor is cancerous in rare cases and needs treatment.
There is no way to prevent salivary gland cancer. However, you can reduce your risk of developing the condition by avoiding certain risk factors such as drinking too much alcohol and smoking.
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