Signs to Look Out for Parotid Cancer

Posted by Susan A. Morris on February 6th, 2023

A salivary gland tumour, also known as a parotid cancer, is cancer that starts in one of your salivary glands. There are several different diseases involved. Actually, there are several salivary glands in and around your mouth. These salivary glands are susceptible to developing a variety of cancerous and benign tumours. Almost anyone can develop parotid (salivary gland) tumours, but as people age, they become more typical. The typical age at which diagnoses are made is 64. Approximately 72% of people with a diagnosis of salivary gland cancer, regardless of the cancer's stage or type, are still alive at least five years after their diagnosis.

What Are Parotid Cancer Types?

• Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma

These types of salivary gland cancer are the most prevalent. The majority of them start in the parotid glands; they don't typically develop in the submandibular glands or the smaller salivary glands in your mouth. Generally speaking, they are low grades, though they can be intermediate or high grades.

• Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

This is usually low-grade and slow-growing. However, because it frequently spreads along nerves, it is still very challenging to eradicate completely. Additionally, these frequently return after treatment (typically radiation and surgery), sometimes years later. Small tumours have a better prognosis for the patient.

• Adenocarcinomas

Doctors use this term to describe cancers that start in glandular cells (these are cells that usually secrete some type of substance). Adenocarcinomas come in many different forms.

• Acinic cell carcinoma: These frequently start in the parotid gland. As opposed to many other types of salivary gland cancers, they grow slowly and frequently manifest in younger patients. Though they are typically low grade, the extent to which they have spread into nearby tissue offers a better indication of a patient's prognosis.

• Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA): Minor salivary glands are where PLGA tumours frequently develop. PLGA tumours typically have a slow rate of growth and are curable.

• Adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified (NOS): When examined under a microscope, NOS tumours have just enough characteristics to be classified as adenocarcinomas but not enough to be further subclassified. They come in all grades and are most prevalent in the parotid and minor salivary glands.

• Rare adenocarcinomas: Adenocarcinoma in its various forms is extremely uncommon.

Causes Of Parotid Cancer

The main causes of Parotid Cancer are:

• Infections

• Hepatitis cirrhosis

• Stones in the saliva duct

• extensive abdominal and hip repairs

• Sjogren disease

• Dehydration

• infections of the salivary glands

• Various cancers

• Sarcoidosis

Risk Factors For Parotid Cancer

Your risk of developing Parotid cancer may be affected by the following factors:

• Workplace exposure to substances may increase the risk of salivary gland tumours for people who handle particular substances on the job. Salivary gland tumours are associated with occupations like plumbing, asbestos mining, and rubber manufacturing.

• Age: Salivary gland tumours can appear at any age, but older adults are more likely to get them.

• Exposure to radiation: Radiation exposure raises your risk of parotid (salivary gland) tumours, including radiation used to treat head and neck cancers.

Symptoms Of Parotid Gland Cancer

The following are possible warning signs and symptoms of parotid gland tumours:

• Lump or swelling in your mouth, neck, near your jaw, or anywhere else

• Having a facial muscle weakness in one side of the face 

• A portion of your face feeling numb.

• Swallowing challenges

• Difficulty opening your mouth wide and ongoing pain near the salivary glands

Get The Best Treatments For Parotid Cancer At Amandela ENT Centre

You can schedule a checkup at Amandela ENT Head and Neck Centre if you suspect that you are having Parotid cancer. The specialists at our clinic will perform a checkup, administer a parotid surgery, and assist you in quickly recovering. 

To learn more about our treatments visit Amandela ENT Head and Neck Centre