Prabhu Ram Prasath wrote:
> I would like to know about the various treatments that were available for Salivary gland tumor,
> medically known as Pleomorphic Adenoma Parotid Gland.
>
> My mother has got this tumor and she has just got a little bulge below her ears and what are the
> various treatment available for the tumor.
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=156027 The treatment of pleomorphic
adenoma is essentially surgical. Though these benign tumours are apparently well encapsulated,
resection of the tumour with an adequate margin of grossly normal surrounding tissue is necessary to
prevent local recurrence as these tumours are known to have microscopic pseudopod like extension
into the surrounding tissue due to "dehiscences" in the false capsule [9]. Spiro reported a
recurrence in 7% of 1342 patients with benign parotid neoplasms and 6% of patients with benign minor
salivary gland tumours [1]. It is logical to infer that the recurrence rate would be higher after
surgery for parapharyngeal tumour of similar histology, as a wide resection may not be possible at
the site due to proximity of vital structures. Postoperative radiotherapy to the parapharyngeal
space could possibly reduce the recurrence rate in such tumours [10].
Pleomorphic adenoma arising de novo in the parapharyngeal space is of rare occurrence. High index of
suspicion and an adequate clearance of the tumour with a cuff of surrounding dispensable normal
tissues is the key to successful treatment of such tumours[]
http://icarus.med.utoronto.ca/carr/manual/salgland.html What is it? Pleomorphic adenoma is the most
common salivary tumour, and is most common in the parotid gland. They are slow growing and well
demarcated tumours which contain mucoid, chondroid, osseous, and myxoid elements.
Signs & Symptoms Patients typically have a firm mass anterior to the ear. It is non-tender and does
not fluctuate in size. Overlying skin is normal.
Investigations Physical exam including:
Palpate the glands (rounded mass palpable) Use bimanual palpation in the floor of the mouth
Imaging CT scan or MRI Fine needle aspiration biopsy
Treatment Superficial parotidectomy for parotid pleomorphic adenomas Excise whole submandibular
gland if tumour located there
I'm not a doctor, I just find the best web sites (I can find) for various views.
Maybe you should go with her and talk with the surgeon about how involved it is, whether there's
symptoms, what the risks are etc.., then ask about radiation therapy? J - not a doctor