Salivary Gland Cancer Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Salivary gland cancer is a disease characterized by the appearance of malignant tumor cells in the salivary glands. This disease is a type of cancer that rarely occurs.
Salivary glands are organs in the body that function to produce saliva. Saliva is useful for helping digest food and contains antibodies that protect the mouth and throat from germ infections.
There are many salivary glands in the human body, but there are three main salivary glands, namely:
- Parotid gland: located in the area below the ear, and is the largest salivary gland.
- Sublingual glands: These salivary glands are located under the tongue.
- Submandibular glands: These salivary glands are located under the jaw.
Salivary gland cancer generally occurs in one of the three salivary glands.
Symptom
In its early stages, salivary gland cancer often causes no symptoms. Usually, early-stage salivary gland cancer is found accidentally during a medical examination or dental examination. The bigger the size of the cancer, the new symptoms begin to be felt.
Symptoms that can occur include:
- A lump near the ear, on the cheek, under the jaw or in the mouth
- Generally, these lumps are not accompanied by pain
- Discharge from the ear
- Hard to open mouth
- There is a feeling of numbness in the face
- Continuous pain in the face with no apparent cause
Reason
The cause of salivary gland cancer is not yet known with certainty. However, people with the following conditions are more prone to experiencing it:
- Age 60 and over
- Male gender
- Have a history of radiation to the head or neck area
- Have smoked or drank alcohol
- Frequent exposure to silica, asbestos, rubber-making materials
Diagnosis
As an initial examination for salivary gland cancer, the doctor will ask about the complaints experienced, as well as carry out a physical examination according to the anatomical location of the salivary glands. Salivary gland cancer is usually suspected if the doctor finds that the salivary glands are palpable enlarged, hard, and cannot be moved.
Next, an MRI or CT scan will be done. If a salivary gland tumor appears through this examination, a biopsy will be performed to find out the type of tumor cells in the salivary glands, and whether the tumor cells are benign or malignant.
Treatment
Generally, treatment for salivary gland cancer includes surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. However, the treatment varies, depending on the size of the cancer, the type of cancer cells, and the overall health condition of the sufferer.
As much as possible, surgical removal of cancerous salivary glands will be carried out, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. However, if the cancer is found at a late stage, radiation is the mainstay of treatment.
Prevention
Salivary gland cancer cannot be completely prevented. But by avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke and alcohol, the risk of developing salivary gland cancer can be lower.