What are the symptoms of parotid cancer?

Signs and Symptoms of Salivary Gland Cancer

• A lump or swelling in your mouth, cheek, jaw, or neck.
• Pain in your mouth, cheek, jaw, ear, or neck that does not go away.
• A difference between the size and/or shape of the left and right sides of your face or neck.
• Numbness in part of your face.

Is parotid gland cancer curable?

Most parotid gland cancers are slow-growing and treatable if found in the early stage. Prognosis varies according to histologic type and stage. A combination of radiation therapy and surgery is usually applied to treat this malignant tumor.

What does parotid gland cancer feel like?

Parotid tumors often cause swelling in the face or jaw that usually isn’t painful. Other symptoms include numbness, burning or prickling sensations in the face, or a loss of facial movement. Parotid tumor treatment is usually with surgery to remove the tumor.

Can you get cancer in your parotid gland?

Mucoepidermoid carcinomas are the most common type of salivary gland cancer. Most start in the parotid glands. They develop less often in the submandibular glands or in minor salivary glands inside the mouth. These cancers are usually low grade, but they can also be intermediate or high grade.

Is parotid cancer fatal?

If cancer is located only in the salivary gland, the 5-year survival rate is 95%. If the cancer has spread outside the salivary gland to nearby structures or lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate is 69%. If it is found after the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, the 5-year survival rate is 44%.

What causes swelling of the parotid gland?

Viral infections such as mumps, flu, and others can cause swelling of the salivary glands. Swelling happens in parotid glands on both sides of the face, giving the appearance of “chipmunk cheeks.” Salivary gland swelling is commonly associated with mumps, happening in about 30% to 40% of mumps infections.

How do you stop parotid gland swelling?

Drink lots of water and use sugar-free lemon drops to increase the flow of saliva and reduce swelling. Massaging the gland with heat. Using warm compresses on the inflamed gland.

How serious is parotid cancer?

What kind of cancer is in the parotid gland?

Salivary gland tumors most commonly occur in the parotid gland, accounting for nearly 85 percent of all salivary gland tumors. Approximately 25 percent of parotid tumors are cancerous (malignant). Treatment for salivary gland tumors often involves surgery.

What are the symptoms of swelling of the parotid gland?

Parotid Gland Swelling Symptoms. If you have a parotid gland swelling, you may notice symptoms such as: Tender, painful lump in your cheek. Foul-tasting discharge from the duct into your mouth. Fever, chills and general weakness. Difficulty fully opening your mouth, speaking, chewing or swallowing.

What can you do about a malignant parotid tumor?

For malignant parotid tumors, your doctor may also recommend radiation therapy. To date, chemotherapy has proved to be ineffective for this type of cancer. Laurie SA. Salivary gland tumors: Epidemiology, diagnosis, evaluation, and staging. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search.

How can I tell if I have cancer in my salivary gland?

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you. Having a lump or an area of swelling near your salivary gland is the most common sign of a salivary gland tumor, but it doesn’t mean you have cancer.