Currently, the only treatment for all benign salivary gland tumors is surgical removal. The surgery to be performed in the treatment of the tumor will vary depending on the location of the tumor in the salivary glands, mouth, pharynx or neck.
To explain with examples;
Parotid gland superficial The treatment of Pleomorphic Adenoma or Warthin Tumor located within the parotid gland lobe is to remove the tumor along with the superficial tissues of the healthy parotid gland around it.
In case of a tumor located within the deep lobe of the parotid gland, what needs to be done is to first remove the gland. The aim is to remove the superficial lobe, expose the facial nerve and its branches, and then remove the tumor deep in these structures without damaging them. is to reach that area with an incision and remove the entire tumor.
The treatment of pleomorphic adenoma tumor arising from the submandibular salivary gland is to completely remove that salivary gland together with the tumor. In other words, when it comes to the submandibular salivary gland, the entire gland is often removed along with the tumor.
A pleomorphic adenoma tumor located on the palate is treated by completely removing it along with some healthy tissue around the tumor.
If the tumor has been completely removed and the pathology examination shows that the tumor is a benign tumor, no other treatment will be needed. In other words, methods such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy have no place in the treatment of benign tumors.
Salivary gland tumor surgeries are mainly performed by ear, nose and throat, head and neck surgeons all over the world. Ear, nose and throat physicians are very familiar with the anatomy of the organs of this region and the diseases of this region. Ear, nose and throat physicians, who are especially interested in head and neck surgery, perform these complex surgeries due to their experience.
How is pleomorphic adenoma - mixed tumor treated?
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Symptoms of pleomorphic adenoma, which is a benign tumor of the salivary glands, vary depending on where it develops. Example In parotid pleomorphic adenoma, which is the most common salivary gland disease, there is a long-standing, slow-growing, rubber ball-like hardness in front of the ear, under the earlobe, under the chin, behind the corner of the jaw.
Pleomorphic adenoma in the submandibular salivary gland. Adenomas also cause symptoms such as swelling, hardness and a mass under the chin. In addition, pleomorphic adenomas originating from areas such as the palate, mouth, and pharynx will appear as a mass that has existed in the area where they are located for months, often for years.
In some patients, neck, face, and brain MRIs are taken for a tumor or another reason. It was discovered by chance using magnetic resonance. This is especially the case for pleomorphic adenomas located in the deep parotid lobe and parapharyngeal region. Since the tumor is in the deep parts of the neck, the patient does not have any visible swelling from the outside. Perhaps a hardness and swelling may be noticed deep beneath the earlobe, which is not present on the opposite side of the neck.
In summary, pleomorphic adenoma does not cause much pain, and does not appear as an ulcer or wound when located in the mouth and throat areas. It usually appears as a slow-growing, medium-hard mass and swelling.
The main treatment for pleomorphic adenoma is surgery. Removing the tumor with surgery will often completely rid the patient of this disease. The surgery to be performed will also vary depending on where the pleomorphic adenoma originates. It is a surgery to remove the tumor in the parotid gland and the healthy salivary gland tissue around it. The basic method in this surgery is to find the facial nerve and secure it with all its branches. The nerve monitor device facilitates recognition and protection of the facial nerve during surgery. In the case of the submandibular salivary gland, called the submandibular gland, that salivary gland is usually completely removed together with the tumor.
If the pleomorphic adenoma is in the deep parts of the neck, which we call the parapharyngeal region, treatment is provided by removal surgery, which is often done by preserving the branches of the facial nerve. In pleomorphic adenomas that develop in areas such as the palate and pharynx, the treatment will be complete removal of the tumor.
How is Warthin's tumor treated?
Almost always located in the parotid salivary gland, its formation is caused by smoking, tobacco use. The treatment of this benign tumor, which is suspected to play a role in habits and is mostly seen in men, will be surgical removal. The surgery is performed by preserving the facial nerve and its branches located in the parotid salivary gland in order to prevent facial paralysis.
Since Warthin's tumor can sometimes occur in the parotid glands on both sides, it is beneficial to keep the opposite parotid gland under control.
The surgical technique of this tumor is no different from parotid pleomorphic adenoma and other tumors. A nerve monitor is used to protect the facial nerve and facial mimic movements.
How is malignant salivary gland tumor treated?
The main treatment for malignant salivary gland tumors, that is, salivary gland cancers, is surgery. First of all, the tumor is completely removed from the body. However, if the general condition of the patient is not suitable for surgery, or if the tumor is too widespread to be operated on, other treatment options may be considered without surgery.
Since malignant tumors may spread to the neck lymph nodes, in addition to removing the tumor, it is called neck dissection. Sometimes it may be necessary to remove the lymph nodes in the given neck.
In some cases, postoperative radiotherapy (radiation therapy) may be needed to increase the patient's chance of getting rid of this disease.
How is mucoepidermoid cancer? Is it treated?
Mucoepidermoid cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the salivary glands. Diagnosis is often made by pathological examination of the tumor tissue removed surgically. Sometimes, it can be stated that this diagnosis is suspected by examining the cells and tissues taken with the needle biopsy performed before the surgery.
In the post-operative examination, pathologists determine the tumor as low, medium and high 'grade' (degree - degree) according to the features visible under the microscope. They classify it as risk). This rating indicates the risk that the malignant tumor poses to the patient's health. This rating determines the methods to be applied in the treatment of the tumor. In the treatment of low-grade (low-risk) tumors, the tumor can be completely removed by surgery. If removed, no additional treatment will often be required. In intermediate grade (medium grade - medium risk) and high grade (high grade - high risk) tumors, additional treatments such as radiotherapy and neck dissection may be required, even if the tumor is completely removed by surgery.
Mucoepidermoid cancer, parotid (ear) It may arise from the anterior salivary gland), submandibular (submandibular salivary gland), sublingual (sublingual salivary gland) glands, or may occur in areas such as the palate, cheek, larynx and even trachea. Regardless of the location and degree of occurrence, the basic treatment is surgical removal. In case of recurrence (return of the disease), if it can be done, surgical removal is preferred.
With appropriate treatments and good patient follow-up, the probability of patients treated for mucoepidermoid cancer to completely overcome this disease cannot be underestimated.
How is adenoid cystic cancer treated?
Adenoid cystic cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of the salivary glands and its main treatment is surgery. Suspicion of adenocystic cancer may arise in cell and tissue samples taken by needle biopsy from a patient who consults a physician with a complaint of a salivary gland mass and examined by pathologists. However, needle biopsy may not always give a definitive diagnosis. In this case, what needs to be done is to completely remove the tumor from its extensions and send it to the pathology laboratory for definitive diagnosis. The definitive diagnosis of adenoid cystic cancer is made by pathological examination of the surgically removed mass. While the tumor is removed, important structures such as the facial nerve are also tried to be preserved. When adenoid cystic cancer is diagnosed, it may be necessary to apply radiotherapy (radiation therapy) in addition to surgery.
This tumor, which has a risk of spreading to distant organs such as the lungs, is often used to investigate the presence of metastases with examinations such as PET CT and lung CT when diagnosed. It is a method. If metastasis is detected, treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy may be considered.
If there are lymph nodes in the neck that are suspicious for metastasis (spread) before surgery, the procedure of cleaning the lymph nodes, called neck dissection, may also be performed, depending on the surgeon's preference. A. If the diagnosis of adenoid cystic cancer is made in postoperative pathological examinations, a second surgery may be necessary to clean the neck lymph nodes on the same side.
Adenoid cystic cancer, parotid (salivary gland in front of the ear), submandibular (salivary gland under the chin) may be necessary. gland), sublingual (under the tongue salivary gland) glands, or may occur in areas such as the inside of the nose, sinuses, palate, cheek, larynx and even trachea. Regardless of the area where it occurs, the basic treatment is surgical removal. In case of relapse (return of the disease), if possible, surgical removal is recommended.
How is acinic cell cancer treated?
Malignant saliva 90% of acinic cell cancers, which constitute approximately 10% of gland tumors, develop in the parotid salivary gland. This tumor, which is by definition low grade (low grade – low risk), can be seen in children and young people, but can also occur at older ages. When the tumor is removed with a safety margin of healthy tissue around it, adequate treatment is often provided. Additional treatments such as radiotherapy and neck dissection (surgical removal of neck lymph nodes) are generally not considered necessary.
Most of the time, the patient will live a normal life without relapse (return of the disease).
Salivary gland. What are the disadvantages of postponing tumor surgery?
When salivary gland tumors are diagnosed, they are usually treated with surgery without waiting too long. This is the same for benign tumors and malignant tumors. Delaying treatment will lead to tumor growth. This may make the surgery difficult for the patient and the surgeon, and may increase the likelihood of mishaps.
If the tumor is malignant, this growth and spread will be faster and it may be a treatable tumor. may become impossible. In addition, scientific studies have shown that benign tumors such as long-existing pleomorphic adenoma can turn into malignant ones.
How is parotid gland tumor surgery performed?
For parotid tumors. The surgeries performed are called 'parotidectomy', that is, parotid
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