Salivary Gland Tumors, Salivary gland cancers and benign tumors

Salivary gland Neoplasm can be Benign or Malignant.
Majority of cases are c.
Malignant cancers are rare.
Malignant salivary gland tumors usually present after the 6th decade of life, whereas benign lesions present in the 4-5th decade of life.
The salivary glands make saliva and release it into the mouth.
There are 3 pairs of major salivary glands:
Parotid glands: These are the largest salivary glands and are found in front of and just below each ear. Most major salivary gland tumors begin in this gland.
Sublingual glands: These glands are found under the tongue in the floor of the mouth.
Submandibular glands: These glands are found below the jawbone.
here are also hundreds of small (minor) salivary glands lining parts of the mouth, nose, and larynx that can be seen only with a microscope. Most small salivary gland tumors begin in the palate (roof of the mouth).
Signs and Symptoms.
Some cases Salivary gland cancer can be asymptomatic.
In other cases:
A lump (usually painless) in the area of the ear, cheek, jaw, lip, or inside the mouth.
Fluid draining from the ear.
Trouble swallowing or opening the mouth widely.
Numbness or weakness in the face.
Pain in the face that does not go away.
Causes:
No single cause is known for Salivary gland Cancer, but Radiation exposure, head and neck radiation therapy, has been linked to parotid gland carcinomas, 15 years after the event.
Cigarette smoking and alcohol directly, are not associated with salivary gland tumor.
Salivary tumor among kids are very rare.
Most of cases occurs sixth decade of life.
Overall 5-year survival rate of salivary cancer is 70 % but highly dependent on stage and type of cancer.
Diagnosis.
Most common diagnostic tests are: Common tests are: MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): and CT scan (CAT scan). Endoscopy and Phisical examination.

Most patients with early-stage lesions that are resectable generally tend to undergo surgery as their initial therapeutic approach, whereas those with advanced or unresectable cancers tend to be treated with radiotherapy alone or chemoradiotherapy.
By BruceBlaus. When using this image in external sources it can be cited as:Blausen.com staff (2014). "Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014". WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/....w/index.php?curid=29
By Jto410 - In my clinical work as a radiologist, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/....w/index.php?curid=28

• Category

  Salivary Gland Cancer