|
HomeTopicsSalivary Gland Tumors
Parotid Tumors and Other Salivary Gland TumorsSalivary gland tumors are rare: as few as 3 out of 100,000 people develop salivary gland tumors per year. Men are more likely to develop salivary gland tumors than women, and the peak incidence occurs between thirty and fifty years of age. Eighty percent of all salivary growth tumors are benign.
Benign Tumors of the Parotid Gland
The majority of salivary gland tumors occur in the parotid glands, the pair of major salivary glands located in front of the ears. Parotid gland tumors are usually benign pleomorphic adenomas. Although often benign, a parotid gland tumor can block the salivary gland and cause a dry mouth.
Malignant Salivary Gland TumorsSalivary gland tumors that develop in the submandibular, sublingual, and minor salivary glands are more likely to be malignant than parotid gland tumors. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common type of malignant salivary gland tumor. Other salivary gland tumors include adenoid cystic carcinoma, acinic cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.
Cancers of the mouth come in many other varieties, and can affect areas other than the salivary glands.
Risk FactorsSalivary gland tumors have been linked to sunlight exposure, alcohol consumption, and hair dye chemicals. Herpes and HIV may also increase the risk of salivary gland cancer.
Links have been discovered between breast cancer and salivary gland tumors. While the exact connection is unclear, the presence of breast cancer does increase the risk of salivary gland tumors.
Symptoms of Salivary Gland Tumors
Diagnosis of Salivary Gland TumorsA biopsy is required to verify the presence of salivary gland cancer. A tissue sample is removed from the tumor, and examined microscopically for signs of cancer. Diagnostic imaging tools, such as an MRI or CAT scan, provide information on the location, size, and shape of the tumor.
Prognosis depends on tumor size. Tumors larger than four centimeters tend to have a worse prognosis than smaller growths. Survival rates vary depending on the type of cancer. The five-year survival rate for parotid gland cancer is 85 percent, even if the cancer has affected local lymph nodes.
Treatment OptionsSurgical removal of the tumor is the standard treatment option whether the growth is a benign parotid gland tumor or a malignant cancer. Radiation therapy is used if the tumor is large or if the cancer returns after initial treatment. Radiation therapy carries the risk of permanently damaging salivary glands.
Chemotherapy is occasionally used in salivary gland tumor treatment, but its use is usually limited to palliative pain management.
|
|
Related Products and Services
