Parotid Gland Tumour

Lump Near Your Ear? - Parotid Gland Tumor Surgery in India

A lump near your ear, jaw, or in your mouth may be a sign of a parotid gland tumour. This short explains what these tumours are and how they are treated.

Understanding parotid gland tumours

The parotid glands are your largest salivary glands, located in front of your ears. A growth in one of these glands is called a parotid tumour.

• A painless lump. The most common sign is a slow-growing, painless lump on the side of the face, near the earlobe, or on the jaw.
• Mostly non-cancerous. Around 80% of parotid tumours are benign. This means they are not cancerous and do not spread to other parts of the body.
• Other symptoms. Less commonly, a tumour may cause numbness or weakness in the face if it affects the facial nerve that runs through the gland.
• Diagnosis. A specialist will use a physical exam, imaging like a CT or MRI scan, and often a fine-needle biopsy to determine the nature of the lump.

Treatment for a parotid tumour

The main treatment for a parotid tumour is surgery to remove it. The specific operation depends on the tumour's size, location, and type.

• Parotidectomy surgery. This procedure involves removing either the affected part of the gland (superficial parotidectomy) or the entire gland (total parotidectomy).
• Protecting the facial nerve. A key part of the surgery is to identify and carefully preserve the facial nerve, which controls your facial expressions.
• If the tumour is cancerous. For malignant tumours, a larger operation may be needed. Radiation therapy is sometimes recommended after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence.
• Recovery time. A hospital stay of one to two days is typical. Full recovery can take several weeks, and your surgeon will provide specific aftercare instructions.

Potential side effects of surgery

• Facial weakness. Temporary weakness of the facial muscles is common due to swelling around the nerve. This usually resolves over weeks or months.
• Numbness. You may have some numbness around the ear and incision site, which can be permanent.
• Frey's syndrome. Some people may develop sweating on the skin of the cheek when they eat. This can be managed with treatment if it becomes bothersome.

The suitability of any treatment, including surgery for a parotid gland tumour, can only be determined by a specialist. This requires a detailed review of your medical history, reports, and recent imaging.