Salivary gland tumor history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Simrat Sarai, M.D. [2]
Overview
Symptoms of salivary gland tumor include, difficulty swallowing, muscle weakness on one side of the face, a lump or swelling on or near the jaw or in the neck or mouth, numbness in part of the face, persistent pain in the area of a salivary gland and trouble opening the mouth widely.
History
The initial history should evaluate the duration the mass has been present, the rapidness of the growth of mass, and the presence of numbness, pain, or any profound asymmetry of facial motion. The patient should be questioned for a personal history of radiation exposure, occupational risk factors and tobacco use. The patient should also be questioned for a personal and family history of previous skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma of the facial region or scalp.[1]
Symptoms
Tumors of a major salivary gland typically present with a painless mass or swelling of the submandibular, parotid, or sublingual gland. Tumors of the monir salivary gland arising within the oral cavity may present with a painless submucosal mass or mucosal ulceration in the palate, lips, or buccal mucosa, with an appearance similar to sialometaplasia or squamous cell carcinoma. The clinical presentation of a salivary gland neoplasm depends upon its specific site of origin and the extent of involvement of adjacent organs. The most common symptom of major salivary gland cancer is a painless lump in the affected gland, sometimes accompanied by paralysis of the facial nerve. Symptoms due to more advanced minor salivary gland tumors are a function of the location of the tumor and can include nasal obstruction, congestion, vision changes, or trismus when present in the nasal cavity or maxillary sinus. Minor salivary gland tumors involving the nasopharynx usually present at an advanced stage; invasion of the skull base, intracranial extension, or involvement of cranial nerves is common.[2]
- Patients with benign tumors of the major or minor salivary glands present with painless swelling of the parotid, submandibular, or the sublingual glands.
- The majority of parotid tumors, both benign and malignant, however, present as an asymptomatic mass in the gland.
- Persistent facial pain is highly suggestive of malignancy. Approximately 10% to 15% of malignant parotid neoplasma present with pain.
- Neurological signs, such as numbness or weakness caused by nerve involvement, typically indicate a malignancy.
- Difficulty swallowing
- Muscle weakness on one side of the face
- A lump or swelling on or near the jaw or in the neck or mouth
- Numbness in part of the face
- Persistent pain in the area of a salivary gland
- Trouble opening the mouth widely
References
- ↑ Salivary gland cancer. Canadian cancer society(2015)http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/salivary-gland/diagnosis/?region=sk Accessed on November 8, 2015
- ↑ Salivary gland cancer. National cancer institute(2015)http://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/hp/salivary-gland-treatment-pdq#link/_410_toc Accessed on November 8, 2015