Parotid Tumor Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Everyone has salivary glands which function to produce saliva. These glands are located around the jaw and are of three pairs, namely the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual.
Several smaller salivary glands are scattered around the mouth and throat, on the lips, and on the cheeks. Most of these benign salivary gland tumors occur in the parotid. Therefore it is called a parotid benign tumor.
Although the majority of parotid tumors are benign, 25 percent can develop into malignant. Therefore, it is important to know and get checked immediately if you find any symptoms of this disease.
One of the most common symptoms is swelling around the neck. Because the tumor generally presses on nearby nerves, this swelling is also often accompanied by pain.
With early detection and appropriate treatment, parotid benign tumors can generally be treated properly. Treatments include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Parotid Tumor Symptoms
Some of the signs and symptoms of benign parotid tumors include the following:
- Swelling around the jaw or mouth
- Numbness in the facial area
- Weak muscles on one side of the face
- Difficult to swallow
- Unable to open mouth wide
Parotid Tumor Reason
The exact cause of benign parotid tumors is not yet known clearly. The tumor itself is formed because there is a change in the DNA in the cell that causes the cell to grow rapidly. When normal cells have died, these tumor cells remain alive so that they accumulate and form masses or lumps.
Although it is not known for sure the cause of this change in cell lifestyle, there are several factors that can increase the risk, namely:
- Elderly
- Radiation exposure, for example, in patients receiving radiation therapy
- Exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace, for example workers in rubber, asbestos and pipe factories
Diagnosis
To determine the diagnosis of parotid benign tumors, a physical examination and several supporting examinations are needed.
On physical examination, there is generally a lump around the jaw that feels painful when touched. To confirm the diagnosis, additional examinations can be carried out in the form of a tissue biopsy or taking a small part of the lump for examination under a microscope. This examination will determine whether the lump is benign or malignant.
Apart from a biopsy, other tests that can also be performed are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) to clearly determine the location and size of the tumor that is occurring.
Parotid Tumor Treatment
Treatment of benign parotid tumors includes surgery. Parotid gland surgery (parotidectomy) is performed to remove part or all of the gland. This procedure must be done very carefully so as not to injure the surrounding facial nerves. The facial nerve regulates the expression and movement of the facial muscles.
When there are signs of malignancy, additional therapy in the form of radiation and chemotherapy can be considered.
Complications
In benign parotid tumors, there are generally no significant complications. One of the effects that is felt is only pain if the size of the tumor is large enough. However, in tumors that develop into malignancy, spread to other areas of the body (metastasis) can be one of the complications.
Prevention
Because the exact cause of benign parotid tumors is not widely known, there is no specific prevention. Someone who is exposed to a lot of radiation or works in asbestos mining, rubber or pipe factories is advised to check himself regularly to see the possibility of the growth of this benign parotid tumor.