Parotid cancer is a rare malignant tumor that affects the parotid gland in the jaw. It may cause no symptoms in early stages but can lead to numbness, pain, and difficulty swallowing. Environmental and genetic factors may contribute to its development. Treatment options include surgery and radiation therapy.
Parotid cancer is a rare form of malignant tumor that arises in the parotid, or the large salivary gland in the back of the jaw. Most parotid tumors cause no adverse physical symptoms, although a particularly large or widespread malignancy can cause numbness, pain in the jaw, and difficulty swallowing. The cancer is relatively slow growing, and surgical specialists can usually extract small tumors before they spread. Advanced parotid cancer is typically treated with a combination of surgery and radiation therapy.
There are two parotid glands in the head, occupying the space just in front of each ear. The glands produce and secrete saliva to help chew and swallow food. In most cases of parotid cancer, only one gland is affected. Doctors aren’t sure what exactly causes a malignant tumor to appear in the gland, though research suggests that both environmental and genetic factors play a role. A person who has a family history of head and neck cancer has a higher risk of developing the disorder. Additionally, studies show that years of tobacco use, radiation exposure, and generally unhealthy diets can also put people at risk.
Early stage parotid cancer usually causes no symptoms. As a tumor grows, however, a person may be able to feel a lump along the jaw. The jaw may become chronically sore and it may be difficult to swallow food. If a tumor grows large enough to put pressure on nearby nerves, numbness and muscle weakness may occur in the affected part of the face. A person experiencing abnormal jaw symptoms should visit their primary care physician as soon as possible.
A doctor can check for parotid cancer by feeling your jaw, asking about symptoms, and conducting diagnostic imaging tests. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can reveal the presence of a tumor. When a lump is found, the doctor usually refers the patient to a specialist for further testing. Additional imaging tests and a tissue biopsy at an oncologist’s office can confirm or rule out the presence of parotid cancer.
If cancer is discovered, the oncologist can evaluate the size and progression of the tumor to determine the best treatment option. Most small tumors are removed surgically, in a procedure known as a parotidectomy. A surgeon may be able to remove just the affected area of tissue, but most parotidectomies involve excision of the entire gland. If the cancer has already begun to spread to other tissues, such as nearby lymph nodes, a patient may need to undergo radiation treatments in addition to surgery.
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