Parotid tumors are growths that develop in the parotid glands, the largest salivary glands located near the jawline, in front of the ears. While most parotid tumors are benign, a small percentage can be malignant. Surgery is the primary treatment for these tumors, aiming to remove the growth and preserve as much normal gland tissue as possible.
Types of Parotid Tumors
The majority of parotid tumors are benign, with pleomorphic adenoma being the most common. Other benign types include Warthin’s tumor and monomorphic adenomas. Malignant tumors, such as mucoepidermoid carcinoma and acinic cell carcinoma, are rarer but require more aggressive treatment.
Surgical Approach
The goal of parotid tumor surgery is to remove the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding structures, including the facial nerve, which controls facial movements. A common surgical procedure is superficial parotidectomy, where the tumor is removed from the outer portion of the gland. In cases where the tumor involves deeper parts of the gland or is malignant, a total parotidectomy may be necessary, which involves removing the entire gland.
In some cases, the surgeon may perform a nerve-sparing surgery to avoid damaging the facial nerve. This is particularly important for preserving facial aesthetics and function. Advanced imaging, such as MRI or CT scans, may be used before surgery to assess the tumor’s size, location, and involvement with surrounding structures.
Risks and Recovery
While parotid tumor surgery is generally safe, it carries some risks. The most significant concern is facial nerve injury, which can result in temporary or permanent facial weakness or paralysis. Other risks include bleeding, infection, and recurrence of the tumor.
Recovery typically involves a hospital stay of a few days, and patients are advised to follow up regularly to monitor for any signs of tumor recurrence or complications. Most people can return to normal activities within a few weeks, although full recovery may take a few months.
In conclusion, parotid tumor surgery is a crucial procedure for removing benign and malignant tumors from the parotid glands. Careful surgical planning and expertise in preserving facial nerve function are key to successful outcomes and a full recovery.
Parotidectomy is the removal of part of the greater part of the parotid gland on one side of the face.
Understanding the anatomy of the facial nerve (as it identifies with the parotid organ) is crucial to understand the medical procedure.
This procedure is performed to remove parotid cancer, which is cancer of the salivary gland.
Contact us at Healing Touristry for Best Doctors of Parotidectomy Surgery in India.
Question: I have multiple skin cancers on my face. Should I remove them all at once or at different times?
Case Study
A male patient in his 60s is noted to have two separate skin cancers on the right side of his face. He has a larger squamous cell carcinoma on the cheek just below the eyelid and a basal cell carcinoma on the right side of the nasal tip. It was determined that in order to achieve the best cosmetic outcome the two lesions would have to be resected and reconstructed two weeks apart.
The patient underwent Mohs excision of the cheek scar first and subsequent reconstruction with Dr. Zandifar. Two weeks later, the patient underwent Mohs excision of the nasal scar followed by reconstruction with Dr. Zandifar. After reconstruction, both scars were treated with silicone-based gel and sunscreen as well as monthly treatment with IPL laser. Two months after reconstruction both scars are hardly noticeable and the patient is happy with the results.
Discussion
The majority of skin cancers tend to develop in areas of the skin that are frequently exposed to the sun. This means that the head and neck region is highly susceptible to developing skin cancers. It is also not uncommon for multiple skin cancer lesions to develop in these areas. Although it may seem convenient to remove and reconstruct multiple skin cancer lesions at once, it is advisable to approach each lesion separately in order to achieve a better cosmetic result. By approaching each skin cancer individually, the surgeon can focus his effort on reconstructing the facial architecture as well as promoting a natural appearance.
For optimal results, a reconstructive surgeon should also develop a customized plan for follow up care. This care typically includes laser treatment, silicone-gel application, and even steroid injections. It should also be noted that application of sunscreen to the entire face is not only important in improving the appearance of the scar, but also decreases the likelihood of developing another skin cancer in the future.
The physicians of the Osborne Head and Neck Institute are board certified in both otolaryngology and plastic and reconstructive surgery. This unique combination of training allows these surgeons to address both functional and cosmetic concerns concurrently.
To learn more about Dr. Hootan Zandifar or reconstructive surgery, please visit: Treatment of Multiple Skin Cancer Lesions
