What are the major types of salivary gland cancer. How is salivary gland cancer diagnosed. What are the treatment options for salivary gland cancer. What is the prognosis for patients with salivary gland cancer.

Understanding Salivary Gland Cancer: An Overview

Salivary gland cancer is a rare form of cancer that develops in the salivary glands, which are responsible for producing saliva. These glands are located in and around the mouth and throat. While uncommon compared to other head and neck cancers, salivary gland cancer can be serious and requires prompt medical attention.

Are all salivary gland tumors cancerous? No, both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) tumors can develop in the salivary glands. However, it’s crucial to have any abnormal growth evaluated by a healthcare professional to determine its nature and appropriate treatment.

The Anatomy of Salivary Glands: Major and Minor

To understand salivary gland cancer, it’s essential to know the structure and location of these glands. Salivary glands are divided into two main categories:

Major Salivary Glands

• Parotid glands: Located in front of the ears, these are the largest salivary glands and the most common site for tumors.
• Submandibular glands: Situated below the jaw, these glands produce saliva that is released under the tongue.
• Sublingual glands: The smallest of the major salivary glands, found under the floor of the mouth and below the tongue.

Minor Salivary Glands

Hundreds of minor salivary glands are scattered throughout the mouth and throat, including:

• Under the lining of the lips and tongue
• In the roof of the mouth
• Inside the cheeks, nose, sinuses, and larynx

Which salivary glands are most commonly affected by cancer? The parotid glands are the most frequent site of salivary gland tumors, both benign and malignant. However, tumors in minor salivary glands, though less common, are more likely to be malignant.

Types of Salivary Gland Cancers: A Detailed Exploration

Salivary gland cancers are diverse, with several types classified based on the cells from which they originate. Understanding these types is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most prevalent type of salivary gland cancer. It primarily affects the parotid glands but can also develop in the submandibular and minor salivary glands. These tumors are graded based on their appearance under a microscope:

• Low-grade: Slow-growing and less likely to spread
• Intermediate-grade: Moderate growth rate and potential for spread
• High-grade: Aggressive, fast-growing, and more likely to metastasize

Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is the second most common type of salivary gland cancer. Despite its often slow growth and low-grade appearance, it presents unique challenges:

• Tendency to spread along nerves, making complete removal difficult
• High recurrence rate, sometimes years after initial treatment
• Prognosis generally better for smaller tumors

Acinic Cell Carcinoma

Acinic cell carcinoma has some distinctive characteristics:

• Typically develops in the parotid gland
• Often affects younger individuals compared to other salivary gland cancers
• Usually low-grade, but the extent of local invasion is a key prognostic factor

Polymorphous Adenocarcinoma

This type of salivary gland cancer has several notable features:

• Predominantly affects minor salivary glands
• Generally slow-growing with a favorable prognosis
• More common in women than men

Adenocarcinoma, Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)

Adenocarcinoma NOS is a category for salivary gland cancers that cannot be classified more specifically. Key points include:

• Most commonly found in parotid and minor salivary glands
• Varied growth rates and prognoses depending on grade and stage

How do doctors determine the type of salivary gland cancer? Diagnosis typically involves a biopsy, where a sample of the tumor is examined under a microscope. Advanced techniques like immunohistochemistry and genetic testing may also be used to identify specific cancer types.

Grading and Staging: Crucial Factors in Salivary Gland Cancer

The grade and stage of salivary gland cancer play vital roles in determining treatment approaches and prognosis.

Grading System

Salivary gland cancers are graded on a scale of 1 to 3, based on how closely the cancer cells resemble normal cells:

1. Grade 1 (low grade): Cells look very similar to normal salivary gland cells. These tumors tend to grow slowly and have a better prognosis.
2. Grade 2 (intermediate grade): Cells show moderate differences from normal cells. The prognosis falls between grade 1 and grade 3.
3. Grade 3 (high grade): Cells look very different from normal cells. These tumors often grow and spread quickly, with a less favorable outlook.

Staging Process

Staging describes the extent of cancer spread and typically follows the TNM system:

• T (Tumor): Size and extent of the main tumor
• N (Nodes): Spread to nearby lymph nodes
• M (Metastasis): Spread to distant parts of the body

How does the grade and stage affect treatment decisions? Higher-grade and more advanced-stage cancers generally require more aggressive treatment approaches, which may include a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and sometimes chemotherapy.

Diagnosis and Symptoms: Recognizing Salivary Gland Cancer

Early detection of salivary gland cancer is crucial for successful treatment. Understanding the symptoms and diagnostic procedures can help in timely identification of the disease.

Common Symptoms

Salivary gland cancer may present with various symptoms, including:

• A lump or swelling in the cheek, jaw, neck, or mouth
• Pain in the face, chin, neck, or ear
• Numbness or weakness in part of the face
• Difficulty opening the mouth widely
• Fluid draining from the ear

Can salivary gland cancer be mistaken for other conditions? Yes, these symptoms can be similar to those of benign tumors or other non-cancerous conditions. Therefore, professional medical evaluation is essential for accurate diagnosis.

Diagnostic Procedures

Diagnosing salivary gland cancer typically involves several steps:

1. Physical examination: The doctor will feel for lumps or swelling in the face and neck area.
2. Imaging tests: CT scans, MRI, or ultrasound may be used to visualize the affected area.
3. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy: A thin needle is used to extract cells from the suspicious area for microscopic examination.
4. Incisional biopsy: A small piece of tissue is surgically removed for analysis if FNA results are inconclusive.
5. PET scan: This may be used to determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Treatment Approaches: Tailoring Care for Salivary Gland Cancer

Treatment for salivary gland cancer is typically multidisciplinary, involving various specialists to provide comprehensive care.

Surgical Intervention

Surgery is often the primary treatment for salivary gland cancer. The type of surgery depends on the tumor’s location and extent:

• Partial parotidectomy: Removal of part of the parotid gland
• Total parotidectomy: Complete removal of the parotid gland
• Neck dissection: Removal of lymph nodes if cancer has spread

What are the potential side effects of salivary gland surgery? Possible complications include facial nerve damage leading to facial weakness, numbness, or paralysis. Skilled surgeons take precautions to minimize these risks.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy may be used:

• After surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells
• As primary treatment if surgery is not possible
• To alleviate symptoms in advanced cases

Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy

While less commonly used in salivary gland cancer, these treatments may be employed in certain situations:

• For advanced or metastatic cancers
• In combination with radiation therapy
• As part of clinical trials exploring new treatment options

Prognosis and Follow-up Care: Life After Salivary Gland Cancer

The outlook for salivary gland cancer varies depending on several factors:

• Type and grade of the cancer
• Stage at diagnosis
• Location of the tumor
• Patient’s overall health
• Response to treatment

What is the typical survival rate for salivary gland cancer? Five-year survival rates can range from 50% to over 90%, depending on the factors mentioned above. Early-stage, low-grade cancers generally have better outcomes.

Follow-up Care

After treatment, regular follow-up care is crucial:

• Periodic physical exams and imaging tests to check for recurrence
• Management of treatment side effects
• Emotional support and counseling as needed

Research and Future Directions in Salivary Gland Cancer Treatment

Ongoing research aims to improve treatment options and outcomes for salivary gland cancer patients. Areas of focus include:

• Targeted therapies based on genetic mutations in cancer cells
• Immunotherapy approaches to enhance the body’s natural defenses against cancer
• Improved radiation techniques to minimize side effects
• Better understanding of risk factors and prevention strategies

How can patients access cutting-edge treatments? Participating in clinical trials can provide access to novel therapies. Patients should discuss this option with their healthcare team to determine if it’s appropriate for their situation.

In conclusion, while salivary gland cancer is rare, understanding its types, symptoms, and treatment options is crucial for effective management. Early detection and a multidisciplinary approach to treatment offer the best chance for positive outcomes. As research progresses, new therapies may emerge, offering hope for improved survival rates and quality of life for those affected by this disease.

What Is Salivary Gland Cancer?

• The salivary glands
• Types of salivary gland cancers
• Types of benign salivary gland tumors
• Other cancers that can affect the salivary glands

Salivary gland cancer starts in one of the salivary glands. There are several different salivary glands inside and near your mouth. Benign (non-cancer) and malignant (cancer) tumors can develop in these glands. Compared to other types of head and neck cancers, salivary gland cancers are rare.

The salivary glands

The salivary glands are organs on each side of the face. They make saliva (spit), the lubricating fluid found in the mouth and throat. Saliva has enzymes that begin the process of digesting (breaking down) food. It also has antibodies and other substances that help prevent infections of the mouth and throat.

The 2 main types of salivary glands are: major and minor.

Major salivary glands

• The parotid glands. These are the largest salivary glands and are just in front of the ears. Most salivary gland tumors start here. Most of these tumors are benign (not cancer), but the parotid glands are still where most malignant (cancer) salivary gland tumors start.
• The submandibular glands. These major salivary glands are smaller than the parotid glands and sit below the jaw. They make saliva which comes out under the tongue.
• The sublingual glands. These salivary glands are the smallest of the major salivary glands and sit under the floor of the mouth and below either side of the tongue.

Minor salivary glands

There are also several hundred minor salivary glands that are too small to see without special lab equipment. These glands are under the lining of the lips and tongue; in the roof of the mouth; and inside the cheeks, nose, sinuses, and larynx (voice box). Tumors in these glands are uncommon, but they are more often malignant than benign. Cancers of the minor salivary glands most often start in the roof of the mouth.

Types of salivary gland cancers

There are many types of salivary gland cancers. Normal salivary glands are made up of different kinds of cells, and cancers can start in any of these cell types. Salivary gland cancers are named according to which cell types they most look like.

Based on how normal the cells look, salivary gland cancers are also often graded (from 1 to 3, or from low to high), The grade of the cancer gives an idea of how quickly it is likely to grow and spread. Also, people with low-grade cancers tend to have better outcomes than those with high grade cancers.

• Grade 1 (also called low grade or well differentiated) means the cancer cells look very much like normal salivary gland cells. They tend to grow slowly and have a good outcome (prognosis).
• Grade 2 (also called intermediate grade or moderately differentiated) means the cancer cells look like those between grade 1 and grade 3 cancers. The outcomes are also between a grade 1 and grade 3 cancer.
• Grade 3 (also called high grade or poorly differentiated) means the cancer cells look very different from normal cells and often grow and spread quickly. The outlook for these cancers is usually not as good as for lower grade cancers.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Mucoepidermoid carcinomas are the most common type of salivary gland cancer. Most start in the parotid glands. They develop less often in the submandibular glands or in minor salivary glands inside the mouth. These cancers are usually low grade, but can sometimes be intermediate or high grade.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is the second most common type of salivary gland cancer, is usually slow growing, and often appears to be low grade when looked at in the lab. Still, it’s very hard to get rid of completely because it tends to spread along nerves. These tumors tend to come back after treatment (usually surgery and radiation), sometimes many years later. The outlook is better if the tumor is smaller.

Acinic cell carcinoma

Most acinic cell carcinomas start in the parotid gland. They tend to grow slower and tend to develop in younger people than most other salivary gland cancers. They are usually low grade, but how far they have grown into nearby tissue is probably a better predictor of a person’s outlook.

Polymorphous adenocarcinoma

These tumors tend to start in the minor salivary glands. They usually (but not always) grow slowly and are mostly curable. They are more common in women than men.

Adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified (NOS)

When seen in the lab, these cancers have enough features to show that they are adenocarcinomas, but not enough detail to classify them further. They are most commonly found in the parotid glands and the minor salivary glands. These tumors can be any grade. They are often seen in people older than 60 years of age.

Secretory carcinoma (Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma)

These cancers are more often found in minor salivary glands. They tend to be low grade and grow slowly. They can be found equally in men and women.

Rare adenocarcinomas

Several types of adenocarcinoma are quite rare.

Some of these tend to be low grade and people who have them usually have a very good outcome:

• Basal cell adenocarcinoma
• Clear cell carcinoma
• Cystadenocarcinoma
• Sebaceous adenocarcinoma
• Sebaceous lymphadenocarcinoma
• Mucinous adenocarcinoma

Other rare adenocarcinomas are more likely to be high grade and may have a less favorable outcome:

• Oncocytic carcinoma
• Salivary gland duct carcinoma

Malignant mixed tumors

Mixed tumors have more than one type of cancer cell. There are 3 types of malignant mixed tumors:

• Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (has benign cells and carcinoma cells)
• Carcinosarcoma (has both carcinoma and sarcoma cells)
• Metastasizing mixed tumor

Nearly all malignant mixed tumors are carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenomas. The other 2 types are very, very rare.

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma develops from a benign mixed tumor (also known as a pleomorphic adenoma). This tumor is found mainly in the major salivary glands. Both the grade of the cancer and how far it has spread (its stage) are important in predicting outcome.

Other rare salivary gland cancers

Several other types of cancer can develop in the salivary glands.

Squamous cell carcinoma: This cancer occurs mainly in older men. It can develop after radiation therapy for other cancers in the area, but most often cancer is spread from a squamous cell cancer of the skin that started in the head and neck area. This type of cancer tends to have a poorer outlook.

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma: This rare tumor tends to be low grade, but it can come back after treatment and/or spread to other parts of the body.

Anaplastic small cell carcinoma: The cells in these tumors have neuroendocrine features. This means the cells get messages from nerves to release certain hormones. These tumors are most often found in minor salivary glands and tend to grow quickly.

Undifferentiated carcinomas: This group of cancers includes small-cell undifferentiated carcinoma, large-cell undifferentiated carcinoma, and lymphoepithelial carcinoma. These are high-grade cancers that often spread. Overall, the survival outlook tends to be poor. Lymphoepithelial carcinoma, which is much more common in Eskimo and Inuit people, is associated with the Epstein-Barr infection and has a slightly better outcome.

Types of benign salivary gland tumors

Most salivary gland tumors are benign, that is, they are not cancer and will not spread to other parts of the body. These tumors are almost never life-threatening.

There are many types of benign salivary gland tumors, with names such as pleomorphic adenoma, oncocytomas, and Warthin tumors.

Benign tumors are almost always cured by surgery. Very rarely, they may become cancer if left untreated for a long time or if they are not completely removed and grow back. It’s not clear exactly how benign tumors become cancers.

Our information about salivary gland cancers does not cover benign tumors.

Other cancers that can affect the salivary glands

These types of cancer are typically not thought of as true salivary gland cancers, either because they start more often in other parts of the body, or because they start elsewhere and then grow into or spread to the salivary glands.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Most non-Hodgkin lymphomas start in lymph nodes. Rarely, these cancers start in immune system cells within the salivary glands. They behave and are treated differently from other types of cancers in the salivary glands. Most lymphomas that start in the salivary glands affect people with Sjögren syndrome (a disorder that causes the immune system to attack salivary gland cells). For more information, see Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Sarcoma

The salivary glands have blood vessels, muscle cells, and cells that make connective tissue. Cancers that start in these types of cells are called sarcomas. These rarely occur in the salivary gland. For more information, see Soft Tissue Sarcoma.

Cancers that spread to the salivary glands

Some cancers, like squamous cell skin cancer or melanoma, might start elsewhere but spread to the salivary glands. These cancers are treated based on where the cancer started.

The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team

Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.

Laurie SA. Salivary gland tumors: Epidemiology, diagnosis, evaluation, and staging. In: Shah S, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, Mass.: UpToDate, 2021. https://www.uptodate.com. Accessed April 25, 2021.

Leeman JE, Katabi N, Wong, RJ, Lee NY, Romesser PB. Chapter 65 – Cancer of the Head and Neck. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Doroshow JH, Kastan MB, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff’s Clinical Oncology. 6^th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier; 2020.

Mendenhall WM, Dziegielewski PT, Pfister DG. Chapter 45- Cancer of the Head and Neck. In: DeVita VT, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg SA, eds. DeVita, Hellman, and Rosenberg’s Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 11^th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2019.

National Cancer Institute. Physician Data Query (PDQ). Salivary Gland Cancer: Treatment. 2019. Accessed at https://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/patient/adult/salivary-gland-treatment-pdq on April 25, 2021.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Head and Neck Cancers. V.2.2021 – March 26, 2021. Accessed at www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/head-and-neck.pdf on April 25, 2021.

Seethala RR, Stenman G. Update from the 4th Edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Head and Neck Tumours: Tumors of the Salivary Gland. Head Neck Pathol. 2017;11(1):55-67. doi:10.1007/s12105-017-0795-0.

Taxy JB. Pathology of head and neck neoplasms. In: Shah S, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, Mass.: UpToDate, 2021. https://www.uptodate.com. Accessed April 27, 2021.

Last Revised: March 18, 2022

American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.

Understanding the Major Endocrine Glands and Their Hormones – Blogs

Everyone goes through that infamously awkward phase called puberty when they are between 8 and 14. The process signifies the development of sexual maturity, where teens begin to undergo noticeable changes in their bodies. Boys begin to develop deeper voices, and girls begin their menstrual cycles. It is also the stage where their hormones are released to send messages to different body parts, sparking various transformations.
 
Handling hormonal fluctuations can be an unpleasant or awkward experience during this time. But they are a necessary stage that plays a vital role in maintaining normal body functions. This process is managed by the glands that make up the Endocrine System.
 
To better understand the importance of the endocrine system, identifying the different glands and their core functions, including the hormones, is essential.
 

What is the Endocrine System?

The Endocrine System is a collection of glands located in various areas of the human body. These glands play an essential part in producing, storing, and releasing different hormones used by the body for various functions.
 
Each gland in this network can produce one or more hormones, which travel through the bloodstream to reach specific organs and tissues. These keep a variety of body functions operating normally. They also lower the risk of developing any endocrine disease.
 

The Major Endocrine Glands and Their Hormones

The Endocrine System is made up of nine (9) major glands that vary in size. Here is where each one is located, what they do, and their functions in the body:
 

• Pituitary gland

This is also known as the master gland due to its control over the hormone secretions of the other glands. The Pituitary is a pea-sized organ located at the base of the brain under the Hypothalamus.
 
The Pituitary Gland produces hormones that affect growth and reproduction during puberty. A few examples of hormones which this gland produces include Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Prolactin (PRL), and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH).

• Hypothalamus

Found on the undersurface of the brain, this gland is responsible for producing two hormonal functions: releasing and inhibiting. During puberty, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is secreted, which is responsible for the human libido and reproduction cycle. It is also responsible for regulating other body functions such as sleep-wake cycles, appetite, body temperature, and sending out of hormones to other glands.

• Pancreas

The Pancreas is a hand-sized organ tucked inside the abdomen and behind the stomach. The two most notable hormones that it secretes are insulin and glucagon, which regulate glucose (sugar) and Somatostatin (growth hormone) in the blood. The Pancreas also plays a major role in the Digestive System by breaking down food into enzymes.

• Pineal Gland

Situated deep in a part of the brain called the Epithalamus, the Pineal Gland is responsible for producing Melatonin (sleep hormone). This helps the body respond to darkness and light, and control the timing of its circadian rhythm, which helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle.
 
Melatonin also plays a role in controlling immune function as it can significantly affect health conditions.

• Thyroid Gland

This can be found wrapped around the trachea (windpipe) and neck below the larynx. During puberty, the Thyroid Gland plays a vital role in secreting hormones needed for growth, reproductive functions, and sexual development. The organ itself can grow during this stage in life and get smaller over time.
 
Apart from its endocrine functions, the Thyroid is also associated with regulating metabolism and heart rate.

• Thymus

This endocrine gland remains active until puberty and can be found behind the breast bone between the lungs. The Thymus releases a hormone called Thymosin, which stimulates the development of T cells such as natural killer T (NKT) cells, naive T cells, and regulatory T (Treg) cells for fighting pathogens.
 
After puberty, the body begins to slowly shrink down the Thymus and converts it to fat.

• Adrenal Gland

The Adrenal Gland is a small triangular-shaped gland can be found on top of both kidneys and holds multiple functions. It sends out hormones called Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Testosterone during puberty, regardless of gender, for muscle and bone strength and libido.
 
The Adrenal Gland is also in charge of the development of other changes such as body odor, the growth of pubic hair, and oil production in the skin.

• Ovaries (for women)

The Ovaries are oval-shaped glands positioned on both sides of a woman’s uterus. During puberty, hormones called Estrogen and Progesterone are released, helping control the menstrual cycle and prepare the body for pregnancy.
 
This organ is also responsible for producing eggs, which can develop into a new organism when fertilized.
 

• Testes (for men)

The male body has two Testes (or testicles), which are located inside the scrotum. During puberty, this male organ produces great amounts of Testosterone, which promotes the development of deeper voices, facial hair, and larger muscles. It is also responsible for the production of sperm, which later slows down with aging.

Hormonal Balance: The Key to a Healthy Endocrine System

The body produces different hormones that deliver biochemical messages through the blood to various organs, which act as vital signals, telling the body what to do and when to do it. Despite the relatively unpleasant effects, which may occur during puberty, maintaining hormonal balance through a healthy endocrine system is a must.
 
There are many ways to keep this complex network of glands healthy and avoid the development of certain diseases. Reach out to MakatiMed’s Section of Endocrinology to learn more about the different hormones and our world-class healthcare service

Tumor lesions of the major salivary glands

This pathology is little known to both patients and most doctors.

The function of the salivary glands is the production of a special fluid (secretion) involved in digestion.

All glands are divided into large and small.

The large glands include the parotid, submandibular and sublingual salivary glands.

All of them are paired and are located in the soft tissues of the face.

Therefore, it is always necessary to “prove” that it is the tissue of the salivary gland that is affected, and not fatty, lymphoid or other tissues.

The term “tumor” means that the mass is acquired and has the potential for further growth, and in most cases is subject to surgical treatment.

How do tumors manifest themselves?

A lump or “bump” appears under the ear, behind the edge of the lower jaw in the case of the parotid gland, under the jaw in case of damage to the submandibular gland and under the tongue in the case of the sublingual gland.

As a rule, they do not hurt. If it hurts, it is not a tumor, but an inflammatory process, much less often it can be malignant.

How is the diagnosis made?

When making a diagnosis:

1. The clinical picture and anamnesis data are compared (it is analyzed how quickly changes in the gland increase – sometimes tumors grow for decades).

2. Non-invasive diagnostics is carried out (MRI without contrast on the recommendation of most foreign associations, for example, the American College of Radiology, such a diagnostic search is adequate).

3. Invasive diagnostics is carried out – fine-needle aspiration biopsy (a part of the cells is taken from the formation with a thin needle and sent to the cytology laboratory).

The two images on the left are contrast-enhanced CT scans (with radiation exposure and potential risk of contrast injection complications). On the right – MRI without contrast, the “image” is much clearer.

After deciding on the need for surgery, a suitable technique is selected.

You can’t “just remove the tumor” for two main reasons:

1. Recurrence happens even in the case of benign tumors, so removal always occurs with a part of a healthy gland.

2. In the thickness of the gland passes the facial nerve (main trunk and branches), which provides innervation of the mimic muscles (purely physiological functions – blinking / closing the eyelids, closing the lips when eating, emotional reactions).

The surgeon takes both of these factors into account as much as possible.

There are two main types of surgery:

1. Extracapsular dissection: the tumor is removed along with the “layer” of healthy tissue surrounding it, the facial nerve is not exposed. This operation is chosen for small, mobile, painless, superficially located formations.

2. Parotidectomy is an operation in which the facial nerve is exposed and a significant part of the gland is removed.

After both types of operations, a soft tissue defect is formed, manifested by tissue retraction on the side of the operation. Perhaps its primary and (or) delayed closure.

Simultaneous plasty with a free fat flap or a portion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle is possible. Delayed lipofilling.

This is the first documented successful operation on a patient with a large tumor in the left parotid gland (right). The tumor bothered the patient and increased for 16 years.

Surgeon John Hunter (left) did not know the histological identity of the tumor, did not have the data of any examination. The operation lasted 25 minutes and was performed without anesthesia. During the operation, the patient did not scream, and after that he quickly recovered, without consequences.

Successes like these are just gems in the history of medicine, and only now do we know when this is possible.

To achieve an excellent result, the above-mentioned meticulous approach and continuous improvement of surgical technique are required.

The choice of clinic is always up to the patient. We always welcome second opinions. In cases of oncological diseases or suspicion of them, this is a necessity.

The minimum that a patient needs to know in case of such a pathology:

– on what basis the diagnosis was made

– what amount of intervention he will have

THERE ARE CONTRAINDICATIONS, A SPECIALIST’S CONSULTATION IS NECESSARY

Major salivary glands – e-Anatomy

SUBSCRIBE

SUBSCRIBE

Definition

English

Not yet defined for this anatomical structure

Defined at:

English

I consent to the assignment of the rights associated with my participation in the project, in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of Use of the site.

I consent to the assignment of the rights associated with my participation in the project, in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of Use of the site.

Gallery

Comparative anatomy of animals

• Major salivary glands

Transfers

IMAIOS and certain third parties use cookies or similar technologies, in particular for audience measurement.