Salivary Glands :
Salivary Glands Saliva is saliva that moisturizes the mouth to help the person chew and swallow, as well as to help start the process of digestion of food because the saliva contains a group of enzymes. It can be said that there are three pairs of salivary glands, the parotid gland: Parotid gland, which lies between the jaw and the ear, the submandibular gland, and the sublingual gland.Salivary gland cancer :
Salivary gland cancer occurs when any of the salivary glands in cancer, which is the growth of cells outside the control of the body, and this type of cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1% of cancer cases in the United States, it was found that the number of infected Annually in America is estimated at 2000-2500 cases. More than 70% of cases of salivary gland tumors are due to tumors of the lymph nodes, which are often benign, while the submandibular tumors represent 15% of the cases and are often cancerous.Symptoms of salivary gland cancer :
The most common symptom of salivary gland cancer is bulging or lumping on the neck, mouth, jaw or near the jaw, but it should be noted that the appearance of this presentation does not necessarily mean cancer of the salivary glands, these symptoms may be similar to the symptoms of health disorders Other, besides this swelling there are some symptoms and signs that may appear on the infected, including the following:- Feeling numb in a part of the face. Facial palsy.
- Feel pain in the swell area or lumps. Suffering from swallowing difficulties.
- Suffering from opening the mouth completely.
- Puffiness in one naughty face.
Risk Factors for Salivary Gland Cancer :
In fact, one or more risk factors for salivary gland cancer are not a condition for the emergence of this type of cancer. The disease may also appear in people who do not have any risk factors. Overall risk factors can be summarized as follows:- Age: The risk of developing salivary gland cancer increases with age.
- Sex: Men are more likely to develop salivary gland cancers than women.
- Exposure to Radiation: Exposure to radiation in the neck or head area for therapeutic purposes increases the chance of suffering from salivary gland cancer.
- Family history: Most people with salivary gland cancer do not have a family history of cancer.
- Alcohol and smoking: Alcohol and smoking are thought to increase the risk of salivary gland cancer.
- The nature of food: Some thought that eating foods rich in animal fats and a few vegetables may increase the chance of developing salivary gland cancer, but further studies are needed to confirm these results.
Treatment of salivary gland cancer :
It may be necessary to treat salivary gland cancer one of the following therapeutic methods, and may require the use of two therapeutic methods at the same time, can be summarized these treatment options as follows:- Surgery: Surgery is the main option for treating salivary gland cancer. In this surgery, salivary glands are often excised from the channels and nerves that have reached cancer. The complications that may result from surgery include infection ), Acute bleeding, slow wound healing, and some drug interactions against a user.
- Radiation Therapy In this type of treatment, the use of molecules or beams of high radiation energy, which are directed to the place of the tumor to eliminate or slow growth and spread, and is often treated with salivary gland cancer using external radiation. It should be noted that the treatment may be given daily for five days a week, for a period of up to seven weeks.
- Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, skin burns, tiredness, general fatigue, dry mouth due to decreased salivation, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, bone pain and damage, thyroid disorders, and feeling. Ringing in the ear, the appearance of sores in the mouth and throat, loss of partial or total taste, plus increased dental problems.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is used in cases where cancer has spread in the body and may be given by injection or oral treatment, it is worth mentioning that the treatment may be given one drug or a group of drugs, Drugs used in chemotherapy are carboplatin and fluorouracil. It should be noted that there are a range of side effects that may result from the use of these drugs, including anorexia, feeling nausea and vomiting, and low level of white blood cells and red resulting in the suffering of the patient from fatigue and fatigue and ease of exposure to infection, as well as low platelet level ( Platelets), making the patient more susceptible to bruising, and may suffer from oral sores and hair loss.