The parotid glands are salivary glands located on each side of the face, in front of the ears. They produce saliva helping to lubricate the mouth and maintain oral hygiene and enable swallowing. Healthy parotid glands are not visible, however, when they get enlarged, they become prominent on the face.
What are the symptoms of a parotid gland tumour?
Patients present with swelling or lump near the jaw or in front of the ears that are usually painless. It may be noticed by the patient or by others around them. At times, patients may complain of facial weakness or loss of facial movement. This implies the tumour is involving the facial nerve.
These tumours are commonly found in people aged 30-40 years.
These tumours are usually benign (non-cancerous), but some could be malignant (cancerous). In the case of malignancy, there tends to be a rapid and painful growth of the tumour. It also usually involves the facial nerve, causing facial paralysis.
How is the diagnosis confirmed?
Ultrasonography of the neck (USG Neck) is used to determine the size and extent of the tumour. It also aids in ruling out other possible causes of the swelling. However, in cases where doctors suspect malignancy, an MRI and CT Scan may also be advised. At times, a USG guided FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology) may be advised to find out the nature of the tumour.
What happens during the surgery?
Surgery is the only form of treatment for Parotid Tumors. The surgery is performed under general anaesthesia and hence the patient does not feel any pain during the procedure. It usually lasts around 2 to 3 hours, after which the patient is woken up and taken to their room.
The surgery begins by making an incision in front of the ear. This enables the best access to the parotid gland and the five branches of the facial nerve. This allows surgeons to properly operate on the tumour and remove as much as they can. The surgery involves the excision of the tumour which is sent for a histopathological examination.
If the report reveals a non-cancerous tumour, there is no further treatment required. However, in the case of cancers, radiotherapy and chemotherapy is advised along with a reference to an oncologist.
What are the risks of surgery?
Special care is taken to avoid facial nerve damage during surgery. This is because the facial nerve passes through the parotid gland and frequently is in close association with the tumour. Thus, constant facial nerve monitoring is done during surgery.
Just like with any other procedure, there are certain risks involved. However, with careful monitoring and proper care, the chances of these risks occurring are minimised. The risk of general anaesthesia is also present. However, the chances of complications arising from anaesthesia are rare.