Diagnosis and treatment of parotid gland tumors, submandibular gland tumors and sublingual gland tumors

The parotid glands are located on the face bilaterally in front of the ears and under the earlobes, the submandibular glands are located bilaterally under the jaw, and the sublingual glands are located at the floor of the mouth. Their function is to secrete saliva, which is secreted through ducts in the oral cavity. Parotid gland tumors account for a large proportion of oral and maxillofacial tumors, and benign tumors are more common, with benign tumors accounting for about 80% and malignant tumors accounting for about 20%; submandibular gland tumors account for 50% of benign and malignant tumors each; sublingual gland tumors are mostly malignant, with malignant tumors accounting for 95%. Benign tumors, such as pleomorphic adenoma (mixed tumor) and Walsin’s tumor, are more common and often appear as painless masses with slow growth. Larger tumors can cause facial deformities and may invade the facial nerve, making surgery very difficult. Malignant tumors such as mucinous epidermoid carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma are more common. Malignant tumors are fast growing and may show symptoms of nerve invasion in early stage, such as pain and facial paralysis. Treatment: Parotid gland, submandibular gland and sublingual gland are salivary glands, and the treatment of their benign tumors is mainly surgical. Among them, the parotid gland is closely related to the facial nerve, and the facial nerve penetrates in the parotid gland, which brings a certain degree of capsule to the surgery. Postoperative pathology, if confirmed to be malignant, often needs to be supplemented with radiation therapy.