Salivary gland cancer are tumours that start in the salivary glands and develop abnormally. Rare cancers of the salivary glands
The salivary glands generate saliva, which helps with digestion, keeps your mouth moist, and maintains strong teeth. Three pairs of large salivary glands—the parotid, sublingual, and submandibular—are located under and behind your jaw. Other tiny salivary glands can be found in your lips, cheeks, mouth, and throat.
Any salivary gland in your body can start a salivary gland cancer . The majority are benign (non-cancerous), although they can occasionally be malignant. The parotid glands are where most salivary gland cancer are found.
Surgery to remove the tumour is typically the first step in treating salivary gland tumours. People with cancer of the salivary glands may require further treatments.
Symptoms
Salivary gland tumour symptoms and signs can include:
- A bulge or swelling in your mouth, neck, or jaw that is on or near your jaw.
- A portion of your face feels numb.
- Weakness on one side of your face’s muscles.
- Chronic discomfort near a salivary gland.
- Having trouble swallowing.
- Difficulty widening your mouth.
Causes
Rare cancers of the salivary glands Their origin is unclear.
When certain cells in a salivary gland experience alterations (mutations) in their DNA, cancers of the salivary gland result. The instructions that inform a cell what to do are encoded in its DNA.
The adjustments instruct the cells to multiply and expand quickly. When healthy cells would perish, the aberrant cells continue to exist. A tumour is created by the cells that gather.
The aberrant cells may develop into cancer if more DNA alterations take place. Cancerous cells are able to penetrate and obliterate adjacent tissue. They may also separate from the tumour and “metastasize” (spread) to other parts of the body.
Types of salivary gland tumors
Tumors of the salivary glands can take many distinct forms. Based on the types of cells present in the tumours, doctors categorise salivary gland tumours. Your doctor can choose the most appropriate course of therapy for you by taking into account the sort of salivary gland tumour you have.
The following are examples of benign (noncancerous) salivary gland tumours:
- Pleomorphic tumour.
- Basal cell tumour.
- Adenomas canaliculares.
- Oncocytoma.
- Angioma Warthin.
The following are examples of cancerous (malignant) salivary gland tumours:
- Acino cell cancer.
- Adenocarcinoma.
- Cystic adenoid carcinoma.
- Cancer of the clear cell.
- Mixed cancerous tumour.
- Vancerous mucoepidermoid tissue.
- Oncocytic cancer.
- Low-grade polymorphous adenocarcinoma.
- The salivary duct cancer.
- Cancer of the squamous cell.
Risk factors
Salivary gland tumour risk factors include the following:
- Aged more: Salivary gland tumours can develop at any age, but they most frequently affect elderly people.
- Exposure to radiation : Salivary gland tumours may be made more likely by radiation therapies for cancer, such as those used to treat head and neck cancers.
- Exposure to specific drugs at work: Salivary gland cancers may be more common in people who work with specific substances. Jobs in the rubber industry, asbestos mining, and plumbing are all connected to salivary gland tumours.
Treatment
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses a high energy beam to target cancer and destroy it. They range from X-rays to high energy Protons. Radiation therapy is used either before surgery or after surgery in case of advanced cancers.
Chemotherapy
This therapy utilizes the drugs or medicines which target the cancer cells directly. Chemotherapy is systemic in nature compared to surgery or radiotherapy. Chemotherapy in advanced cases is usually done in cycles and may be required again.
Supportive (palliative) care
Palliative care is a sort of specialised medical care that focuses on treating severe illness symptoms including pain. Palliative care specialists work together with you, your loved ones, and your other healthcare providers to provide additional assistance in addition to your ongoing care.
People with cancer may feel better and live longer when palliative care is utilised in addition to all other necessary therapies.
Palliative care is provided by a team of physicians, nurses, and other specially trained workers. Enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients and their families is the goal of palliative care teams. This form of care is accessible in addition to any curative or other therapies you might be getting.