Is Parotidectomy major surgery?

A parotidectomy is the surgical excision (removal) of the parotid gland, the major and largest of the salivary glands. The procedure is most typically performed due to neoplasms (tumors), which are growths of rapidly and abnormally dividing cells.

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A.

What are the signs of salivary gland cancer?

Signs and symptoms of a salivary gland tumor may include:

A lump or swelling on or near your jaw or in your neck or mouth.
Numbness in part of your face.
Muscle weakness on one side of your face.
Persistent pain in the area of a salivary gland.
Difficulty swallowing.
Trouble opening your mouth widely.

How common are salivary gland tumors?
Salivary gland neoplasms are rare in children. Most tumors (65%) are benign, with hemangiomas being the most common, followed by pleomorphic adenomas. In children, 35% of salivary gland neoplasms are malignant. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common salivary gland malignancy in children.
What does the salivary glands do?
The salivary glands produce saliva, which keeps the mouth and other parts of the digestive system moist. It also helps break down carbohydrates (with salivary amylase, formerly known as ptyalin) and lubricates the passage of food down from the oro-pharynx to the esophagus to the stomach.
How is salivary gland cancer diagnosed?
A physical exam. Your doctor will feel your jaw, neck and throat for lumps or swelling. Imaging tests. Imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT), may help your doctor determine the size and location of your salivary gland tumor.

1.

What is a parotid cyst?

A parotid cyst is a painless swelling or mass that forms in the major salivary glands, also known as the parotid glands. A rare condition, parotid cysts account for approximately five percent of salivary gland tumors and are typically not attached to the facial nerve.

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2.

What is a parotid gland tumor?

Most of these tumors are benign (not cancer), but the parotid glands still are where most malignant (cancerous) salivary gland tumors start. The submandibular glands are smaller and are below the jaw. They secrete saliva under the tongue.

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3.

What is superficial Parotidectomy?

A superficial (or lateral) parotidectomy involves removing all of the gland superficial to the facial nerve, whereas a partial superficial parotidectomy involves removing only the portion of the gland surrounding a tumor or mass.

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4.

What is the cause of salivary gland cancer?

Salivary gland cancer facts. Salivary gland cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that involves abnormal (malignant) growth of salivary gland cells. Factors that increase the risk of salivary gland cancer include older age, radiation therapy to the head and neck, or exposure to cancer-causing chemicals at work.

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5.

What is the meaning of pleomorphic adenoma?

Pleomorphic adenoma is a common benign salivary gland neoplasm characterised by neoplastic proliferation of parenchymatous glandular cells along with myoepithelial components, having a malignant potentiality. It is the most common type of salivary gland tumor and the most common tumor of the parotid gland.

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6.

How is salivary gland cancer treated?

Treatment for stage III salivary gland cancer depends on whether the cancer is low-grade (slow growing) or high-grade (fast growing). If the cancer is low-grade, treatment may include the following: Surgery with or without lymphadenectomy. Radiation therapy may also be given after surgery.

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7.

Can a pleomorphic adenoma become malignant?

Carcinoma Ex-Pleomorphic. This is a type of cancer that initially started off as a benign tumor. Although pleomorphic adenomas are benign parotid tumors, it has the potential to turn malignant. The incidence of malignant transformation increases with the duration of the tumor.

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8.

Are parotid tumors common?

Of parotid neoplasms, 70-80% are benign. Except for Warthin tumors, benign tumors of the parotid gland are more likely to occur in women than in men. The median age for occurrence of these tumors is in the fifth decade of life. The most common benign parotid tumor in children is the mixed tumor.

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9.

What are the symptoms of pleomorphic adenoma?

Rapid enlargement of a tumor nodule should raise concern about the development of malignant change. Patients with minor salivary gland tumors may present with a variety of symptoms, depending on the site of the tumor; such symptoms include dysphagia, dyspnea, hoarseness, difficulty in chewing, and epistaxis.

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10.

Is a pleomorphic adenoma a cancer?

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma, abbreviated ca ex PA, is a type of cancer typically found in the parotid gland. It arises from the benign tumour pleomorphic adenoma. Its prognosis depends on the stage. Early tumour have essentially a benign behaviour.

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11.

How is salivary gland cancer diagnosed?

A physical exam. Your doctor will feel your jaw, neck and throat for lumps or swelling. Imaging tests. Imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT), may help your doctor determine the size and location of your salivary gland tumor.

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12.

Is parotid gland cancer curable?

Most parotid gland cancers are slow-growing and treatable if found in the early stage. Prognosis varies according to histologic type and stage. A combination of radiation therapy and surgery is usually applied to treat this malignant tumor.

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13.

Are parathyroid tumors cancerous?

Hyperparathyroidism can occur when a benign tumor (noncancer), called an adenoma, forms on one of the parathyroid glands, and causes it to grow and become overactive. Sometimes hyperparathyroidism can be caused by parathyroid cancer, but this is very rare.

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14.

How should salivary glands feel?

Next, your doctor will examine your head and neck, including the area inside your mouth. The doctor will press gently on areas of your cheeks to feel for swelling of the parotid gland. He or she also will feel under your jaw for enlarged salivary glands. Tell your doctor if there is any tenderness during the exam.

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Updated: 28th August 2018

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