What are Salivary Gland Tumors?

Growth of abnormal cells in the salivary gland that drain the glands. The tumors that are formed in these glands are both non-cancerous also known as benign tumors and malicious or cancerous tumors. 94% of the salivary gland tumors are benign but if they are left untreated they can soon turn cancerous. Only 6% of people get a rare malicious tumor that is cancerous.

Types of Salivary Gland Tumors

salivary gland cancer treatment

Benign Tumors

salivary gland cancer treatment

Malicious Tumors

Symptoms of Parotid Tumor

1. Starts with a painless swelling in one of the salivary glands( Near the chin, ears or in the mouth).

2. Swelling will decrease indicating a real condition and fast growth will indicate a malicious tumor and a slow one indicates benign tumor.

3. Inability to move one side of the face which is known as facial nerve palsy indicates the presence of an advanced tumor and is definitely cancerous.

Risk Factors of Salivary Tumors

The medical world is still working to prove the actual root causes but the current risk factors that possibly lead to tumors in the salivary glands are excessive smoking, an aggravated skin cancer that might spread to the salivary glands.

Diagnosis of Salivary Tumors

  • - A complete examination by a dentist or an expert oncologist will help detection of the salivary tumors and a tumor can be detected on the parotid glands
  • - Imaging procedures like X-Ray, CT Scan, MRI and Ultrasound will not just locate the tumors in the glands but it will also find out if it has spread to the neck in the form of lymph nodes.
  • - The biopsy using a fine needle treatment will help find if the tumor is benign or malicious.

Treatment of Salivary Tumors

1. For a benign tumor a minimally invasive and painless surgery is recommended to prevent it from becoming malicious.

2. For malicious tumors the salivary gland cancer treatment is possible through a surgery by best head and neck oncologist in hyderabad

3. Superficial parotidectomy can be used to remove small or medium sized tumors but if the tumors spreads beyond the salivary glands then radiation therapy or chemotherapy is required.

FAQ's

Lumps that come and go are not usually due to cancer. Swelling in one or more lymph nodes in the neck is a common symptom of salivary gland cancer. Cancer usually forms a lump that slowly gets bigger.
Most of the salivary gland tumors are benign but It's also possible for benign tumors to become malignant over time if left untreated over a period of time
Dentists may notice a lump in the salivary gland while examining but, for proper confirmation, it is suggestible to consult a head and neck oncologist for the right ways to diagnose the tumors
No. They do not spread to the other parts of the body but, when left untreated, they become malignant and cause high discomfort while your body uses the salivary glands for various bodily functions

Testimonials

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Book an Appointment