What Is Parotid Cancer?
Parotid cancer is a rare form of malignant tumor that arises in the parotid, or the large salivary gland at the back of the jaw. Most parotid tumors do not cause adverse physical symptoms, though an especially large or spreading malignancy may cause numbness, jaw pain, and difficulty swallowing. The cancer is relatively slow-growing, and surgical specialists can usually extract small tumors before they spread. Advanced parotid cancer is typically treated with a combination of surgery and radiation therapy. There are two parotid glands in the head, occupying the space just in front of each ear. The glands produce and secrete saliva to aid in chewing and swallowing food. In most cases of parotid cancer, only one gland is affected. Doctors are unsure what exactly causes a malignant tumor to arise in the gland, though research suggests that environmental and genetic factors both play roles. A person who has a familial history of head and neck cancer is at an increased risk of developing th
