Overview
Salivary glands produce saliva which helps in digesting food and keeping the mouth moist. They are found inside our mouth, cheeks, and lips. Salivary gland tumors are abnormal cells that grow in the salivary gland. They can be both cancerous and noncancerous. Surgery is required for the removal of such tumors.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of salivary gland tumors are:
Pain in Salivary Gland Area
Swelling of Salivary Glands
Difficulty Swallowing
Difficulty Moving Face or Opening Mouth
Causes
Salivary gland tumors can be caused due to:
- Gene Mutation
- Older Age
- Exposure to Radiation
Diagnosis
Other than the regular physical checkup a doctor may advise one or more than of the following tests to determine the best treatment. Tests can include:
Ultrasound
MRI
CT Scan
Biopsy
When to See a Doctor
Make an appointment right away if any worrisome symptoms appear.
Treatment
Treatment for salivary gland tumors will depend on its stage, location, and patient’s overall health. Usually, surgery is the mainstay of the treatment. If the tumors are small and easily located, they will be removed along with a piece of surrounding tissue.
However, if the tumors have increased in size, removal of the entire salivary gland will be necessary to prevent cancer from spreading any further. In some cases, facial nerves and lymph nodes are also removed as they too have become cancerous. After that, reconstructive surgery will be required to repair the damaged area.
Risks, Complications & Preventions
It is not possible to eliminate the risk of developing salivary gland tumors completely. However, it can be prevented by avoiding excessive smoking, drinking, maintaining a healthy weight, and including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.
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Dr. Faisal Murad
Chief of Surgery & Laparoscopic Surgery
M.B.B.S., MCPS, FCPS (Surgery), Fellowship Telemedicine
Dr. Mustafa Javed
Orthopedic Surgery
BSc, MBBS, MRCS (Edinburgh, UK), FRCS, Trauma & Orthopedics (Edinburgh, UK), CCT (Yorkshire, UK)