SALIVARY GLAND TUMOURS / CANCER

Three pairs of major salivary glands are situated on either side of the face below the ear (parotid), below the jaw line (submandibular) and in the floor of the mouth (sublingual). Minor salivary glands are scattered all over the mouth, nose, and other parts of the neck. Both benign and cancerous tumors can begin in any of the major or minor salivary glands. Most of the tumors (80%) that develop in the parotid gland, and about half of the tumors in the submandibular gland, are benign. Sublingual gland and minor salivary gland tumours are rare, but usually (80%) cancerous.

SYMPTOMS

• A lump on the face just below the ear lobule, slowly growing and painless
• A lump just below the jawline
• A discrete lump anywhere in the mouth or lips.
• A deviation of angle of the mouth indicates a tumour involving the facial nerve.

DIAGNOSIS

For a salivary gland tumor, a fine needle aspiration cytology FNAC is the preferred test for making a diagnosis. A surgical (incisional) biopsy should be avoided in almost every case. Imaging tests like MRI may be used to find out the extent of the tumour and to plan surgical removal.

TREATMENT

The treatment is primarily surgical. Complete removal of the tumour with preservation of the function of the nearby nerves is very important. The final histopathological report dictates the adjuvant treatment.