Salivary gland cancer is rare, most often identified during routine exams or during a visit to the dentist, where changes in the mouth may be observed. This type of tumor can be perceived through certain signs and symptoms, such as swelling or appearance of a lump in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, and feeling weak in the face, which may be more or less intense depending on the affected salivary gland. and its extent of the tumor.
Although rare, salivary gland cancer is treated and requires removal of some or all of the affected salivary glands. Depending on the affected gland and the extent of the cancer, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may also be needed to remove tumor cells.
The main symptoms that may indicate the development of cancer in the salivary glands include:
When these symptoms appear and there is a suspicion of developing cancer, it is recommended to consult a head and neck surgeon or family doctor for diagnostic tests, such as MRIs or CT scans, and to diagnose the problem, starting treatment if necessary.
Salivary gland cancer is caused by mutations in the DNA of cells in the mouth, which begin to multiply deregulatedly and result in the appearance of the tumor. However, it is not yet known why the mutation occurred, but some risk factors may increase the risk of developing salivary gland cancer, such as smoking, frequent chemical contact, or Infection with the Epstein-Barr virus. Like what.
The initial diagnosis of salivary gland cancer is clinical, where your doctor evaluates the presence of signs and symptoms that indicate cancer. A fine needle or puncture aspiration biopsy or biopsy is then indicated, collecting a small portion of the observed change, which is analyzed in the laboratory to identify the presence or absence of malignant cells.
In addition, imaging tests, such as CT scans, x-rays, or MRI, may be requested to assess the extent of the cancer, and ultrasound may also be indicated to differentiate the tumor of the salivary glands from inflammatory and other processes. cancers. Cancer.
Treatment of salivary gland cancer should be started as soon as possible after diagnosis in an oncology hospital to prevent it from developing and spreading to other parts of the body, making healing difficult and life-threatening. Generally, the type of treatment varies depending on the type of cancer, the affected salivary gland, and tumor development, and can be done with:
These types of treatments can be used alone or together, and radiation therapy and chemotherapy are often used after surgery to remove cancer cells that may not have been completely removed.
In the most severe cases, where it is necessary to remove more than the salivary gland, the doctor may recommend plastic surgery to reconstruct the removed structures, improving the aesthetic appearance, but also making it easier for the patient to swallow, speak, chew or speak. For example.
The onset of dry mouth is one of the most common symptoms when treating salivary gland cancer, but this problem can be alleviated with daily care such as brushing your teeth several times a day, drinking 2 liters of water throughout the day, avoiding very spicy peaks. preferring water-rich foods such as watermelon.