Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is a salivary gland tumor?
- How common is this condition?
- Signs & symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of a salivary gland tumor?
- When should I see a doctor?
- Cause
- What causes salivary gland tumors?
- Types
- What are the types of salivary gland tumors?
- Risk factors
- What increases my risk for salivary gland tumors?
- Drugs & Medicines
- What are my treatment options for salivary gland tumors?
- What are the usual tests to diagnose this condition?
- Home remedies
- What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat salivary gland tumors?
Definition
What is a salivary gland tumor?
Salivary gland tumors are a rare condition in which the growth of the salivary glands is abnormal. The salivary glands are behind the oral cavity and secrete saliva to help digest food. The main salivary glands consist of the parotid glands (located on the side of the face), the glands under the jaw, and the sublingual glands.
The small glands are located on the roof of the mouth and are located along the oral cavity, sinuses and nose. These glands can only be seen under a microscope. Salivary gland tumors can be benign or malignant. As many as 80% of tumors located in the main route are benign but if located in other areas, 80% of them are malignant tumors.
How common is this condition?
Patients with benign salivary gland tumors that are common in every sex and race. This is one of the conditions that can attack your salivary glands. This occurs at all ages, but the older you are, the more likely tumor complications will occur. Mucosal carcinoma is the most common (malignant tumor of the parotid gland) salivary gland tumor and occurs mostly in patients aged 20 to 50 years.
Another common type of tumor is a parotid gland tumor, which is epithelial cancer (benign tumor of the parotid gland), which appears at the age of 40 to 50 years and grows very slowly. Patients with salivary gland cancer are predominantly women with VA fungal cystic carcinoma (adenoids) and people aged (40-60 years).
Signs & symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of a salivary gland tumor?
The first sign of a salivary gland tumor is the appearance of a lump. Malignant tumors tend to invade the surrounding tissue. Local spread of the parotid gland tumor affects the facial nerve resulting in paralysis on the affected side, weakened facial muscles and inability to close the eyes.
Salivary gland tumors can spread to the muscles under the mouth, which is the lower part of the skull, and surrounding lymph nodes. Hence, it causes facial pain, earaches, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes.
End-stage cancer will metastasize to the lungs and bones. There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
You need to go to the doctor right away if you have a small tumor, a protruding tumor, swelling around the face and neck. Don't ignore any abnormalities in the mouth, sinuses and facial muscles. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.
Cause
What causes salivary gland tumors?
The causes of salivary gland tumors are known. Salivary gland tumors are not contagious and are not inherited. Some of the causes of salivary gland tumors, especially:
- Surgery on the stomach;
- Cirrhosis;
- Infection;
- Other cancers;
- Infection of the salivary glands;
- Sjogren's Syndrome.
The most common type of salivary gland tumor is a benign tumor that often develops in the parotid gland. These tumors will gradually increase the size of the glands. Some cases can develop into a malignant (cancer) tumor.
Types
What are the types of salivary gland tumors?
Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, there are various types of salivary gland tumors. Doctors differentiate these tumors based on the type of cells involved in the tumor. By knowing the type of tumor, you can determine the best treatment options.
The most common salivary gland tumor is a pleomorphic adenoma. This is usually a slow growing tumor and occurs most often in the parotid gland. Other benign salivary gland tumors include:
- Basal cell adenoma
- Oncocytoma
- Barthin's tumor
Meanwhile, the types of malignant salivary gland tumors include:
- Acinic cell carcinoma
- Adenocarcinoma
- Adenoid cystic carcinoma
- Clean cell carcinoma
- Mixed tumor malignant
- Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
- Oncocyte carcinoma
- Polymorph low grade adenocarcinoma
- Salivary duct carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma.
Risk factors
What increases my risk for salivary gland tumors?
Certain factors that increase your risk of developing salivary gland tumors, namely:
- Radiation exposure, such as radiation therapy, is used to treat cancer of the head and neck.
- Work in certain environments or are exposed to chemical exposures such as in factories that produce rubber, asbestos mines and in sewers.
- Exposure to viruses that put you at risk for salivary gland cancer including HIV and the RBV virus (Epstein ‐ Barr).
Drugs & Medicines
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
What are my treatment options for salivary gland tumors?
Salivary gland tumors can only be cured if they are located and removed before they have spread and metastasized. The treatment commonly used is surgery to completely remove the salivary glands along the affected area of the tumor.
This procedure can cause complications if there are important nerves to the face and tongue. Your doctor will recommend radiotherapy if your tumor can't be removed or if the tumor comes back. Radiation complications include:
- Your skin becomes itchy, red and dry;
- Losing saliva resulting in dry mouth, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing
- Can't grow a beard; and loss of appetite.
What are the usual tests to diagnose this condition?
Your doctor will diagnose a salivary gland tumor through tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The only way to confirm a diagnosis is by biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure that tests a tumor by taking a sample of body tissue and examining it under a microscope.
Home remedies
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat salivary gland tumors?
Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you treat salivary gland tumors:
Monitor tumor progression
Always monitor tumor progression and the ability to recur after treatment.
Have yourself checked regularly according to the doctor's instructions to detect cancer as soon as possible. The survival rate of up to 10 years is 90% if you have a very small malignant tumor, but only 25% if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
Take nutritional supplements and drink plenty of water
Pain, dry mouth, and loss of taste can make you lose weight and appetite. If you are malnourished, you will not only not recover quickly, but also cause other illnesses caused by weakening your immune system.
If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.
