Benign parotid tumors are tumors that arise in the parotid salivary glands and not vicious. parotid benign tumor could cause symptoms such as lumps in cheek or lower jaw, but doesn't hurt.
The parotid gland is the largest salivary gland located on the side of the face. Along with other salivary glands, the parotid gland produces saliva to help digest food.
Benign parotid tumors are more common than malignant parotid tumors, and are more common in adults than children.
Symptoms of Benign Parotid Tumor
The main symptom of benign parotid tumors is the appearance of a single lump on the cheek or lower jaw, with a firm shape and painless. These bumps are usually noticed by the sufferer when washing his face or shaving. In addition to lumps, other symptoms that can appear are:
- Numbness around the lump.
- One side of the facial muscles become weak.
- Difficult to swallow
- Difficulty opening mouth wide
Some patients with benign parotid tumors can also feel pain in the tumor area, such as burning or stabbing.
Symptoms of benign parotid tumors are often indistinguishable from malignant parotid tumors. Benign or malignant parotid tumors can only be distinguished after further examination by a doctor.
When to go to the doctor
Immediately see a doctor if a lump appears or experiences paralysis of the facial muscles. A lump or paralysis on the face can be a sign of a benign or malignant tumor. This condition needs to be diagnosed early in order to get treatment right away, especially if the lump is a malignant tumor.
People who are obese have a higher risk of developing parotid tumors. Therefore, obese people need to consult a nutritionist to lose weight and achieve an ideal body weight.
Patients with metabolic syndrome also have a risk of developing parotid tumors. Therefore, people with metabolic syndrome also need to consult a doctor for treatment.
Reason and Type Parotid Benign Tumor
Parotid tumors are caused by gene mutations in the parotid gland cells. Mutations in this gene cause parotid gland cells to divide rapidly and continuously.
The cause of this gene mutation is not known with certainty. However, there are a number of factors that can increase a person's risk of developing a parotid tumor, including:
- AgeAlthough parotid gland tumors can occur in anyone, this condition is more common.
- Radiation exposure
Radiation, especially from radiotherapy for the treatment of head or neck cancer, can increase the risk of parotid gland tumors.
- Exposure schemical compound
Some people who work in asbestos mining, pipe factories, or rubber factories have a higher risk of developing salivary gland tumors.
- viral infection
Examples of viruses that are associated with the appearance of tumors in the salivary glands are HIV and the Epstein-Barr virus.
- Smoking habit
Smoking habits increase a person's risk of developing Warthin's tumor, which is a type of benign parotid tumor.
- Cell phone use
Several studies have shown a suspected association between continuous cell phone use and the appearance of parotid gland tumors.
Although in general the symptoms are the same, parotid benign tumors can be divided into several types, namely:
- Pleomorphic adenomaThis type of parotid tumor is the most common tumor. These parotid tumors grow slowly and usually do not cause symptoms, especially if they are small.
- Warthin's tumorThis type of parotid tumor is less common than pleomorphic adenoma. Warthin tumors usually occur in women over the age of 60 and men over the age of 70.
- Oncocytoma and monomorphic tumorsAmong the three types of parotid tumors, parotid oncocytoma tumors and monomorphic tumors are the rarest tumor types.
Parotid Benign Tumor Diagnosis
To diagnose a benign parotid tumor, the doctor will ask the patient's symptoms, then perform a physical examination to confirm the patient's symptoms. Physical examination can be done by palpating the swollen part of the neck to check for lumps.
After undergoing a physical examination, the patient will undergo additional examinations consisting of:
- BiopsyA biopsy is done by taking a sample of salivary gland tissue for analysis in the laboratory. Through a biopsy, the doctor can find out whether the patient has a benign or malignant tumor, as well as the type of tumor.
- ScanScans are performed to confirm the parotid tumor as well as obtain information about the size of the tumor. Scans can be done with X-rays, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, or PET scan.
Parotid Benign Tumor Treatment
Treatment of parotid tumors aims to remove the tumor tissue as much as possible, and prevent the tumor from recurring after removal. Treatment methods that are often used by doctors to treat this disease are surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
Operation
The main method of treating benign parotid tumors is parotidectomy surgery. Parotidectomy surgery is performed to remove the parotid gland tissue and the tumor. Parotidectomy can remove the entire parotid gland or only part, depending on the size of the tumor.
One of the side effects of parotidectomy is the possibility of facial nerve damage due to surgery. However, when a parotidectomy is performed, the doctor will maintain the integrity of the facial nerve tissue near the parotid gland as much as possible to reduce the risk of side effects.
Radiotherapy
Treatment of parotid tumors through surgery sometimes still leaves tumor tissue. To kill the remnants of the tumor, patients can undergo radiotherapy which is done after parotid gland surgery.
If the tumor is too large to allow surgery, radiotherapy can be used instead of surgery to kill tumor cells in the salivary glands.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is not the standard method of treating benign parotid tumors. Chemotherapy is done if the type of parotid gland tumor suffered is a malignant tumor or cancer.
Complications of benign parotid tumors
Some of the complications of parotid tumors are:
- Facial nerve damageFacial nerve damage can occur due to compression of the nerve by a tumor or injury during parotidectomy surgery. The risk of nerve damage increases if the surgery is repeated.
- t recurrenceageTreatment of tumors that have been undergone by patients generally cannot completely remove tumor tissue. The remaining tumor tissue can recur and develop, either as a benign tumor or become malignant.
- Frey syndromeRedness and the appearance of sweat on the cheeks after parotid gland surgery. This complication occurs when a person imagines foods that can produce large amounts of saliva.
- Decreased hearing abilityThis complication can arise if there is damage to the ear nerve due to surgery or suppression by the tumor.
Parotid Benign Tumor Prevention
The cause of the appearance of benign parotid tumors is not yet known with certainty. Therefore, the prevention of benign parotid tumors is done by minimizing the risk factors. Things that can be done are:
- Lose weight through diet in order to get the ideal weight, if suffering from obesity.
- Check with a doctor if you are often exposed to radiation or have had radiotherapy, especially in the neck area.
- Quit smoking, if you are an active smoker. For passive smokers, try to always avoid cigarette smoke.