Go Back To Menu
Close
- Mailing Form
-
Medical Report*
-
Go Back To Menu
Parotid gland cancer is the most common type of salivary gland tumor, accounting for a large proportion of all salivary gland neoplasms, and is an important malignancy in the maxillofacial region. It originates from epithelial cells of the parotid gland. Some types grow rapidly and are highly invasive, invading nearby nerves and blood vessels, and even spreading to cervical lymph nodes or distant organs. In the early stage, these tumors often have no typical symptoms, usually presenting only as a painless mass, which easily delays diagnosis.
This disease mainly occurs in middle-aged and elderly people, with a slightly higher incidence in men than women. Parotid gland cancer is relatively common in Western countries such as the United States, France, and Germany, and its incidence has been increasing in Southeast Asian regions such as Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines, especially in areas with severe industrial pollution. Its main harm lies in its strong local invasiveness, which may lead to facial paralysis, swallowing disorders, and high recurrence rates, seriously affecting quality of life and prognosis.
Stage I: Localized lesion, removable initial mass
The lesion is confined within the parotid gland, small in diameter, with no facial nerve involvement or lymph node metastasis. The five-year survival rate can reach over 80%.
Stage II: Expanded lesion, may involve superficial tissues
The tumor enlarges or slightly invades adjacent tissues but has not yet metastasized to distant sites. The survival rate drops slightly, ranging between 60%–75%.
Stage III: Facial nerve involvement, regional metastasis
At this stage, facial nerve dysfunction may occur, or cervical lymph node metastasis may be present. The five-year survival rate drops to 40%–55%.
Stage IV: Distant metastasis, severe local destruction
Cancer cells metastasize to distant organs such as the lungs, bones, and liver. Treatment becomes difficult, prognosis is poor, and the five-year survival rate is below 30%.
1. Submandibular or preauricular mass
Patients often inadvertently notice a hard nodule or mass in the parotid region. It is firm and painless, and often mistaken for a benign nodule.
2. Gradual enlargement and fixation of the mass
As the disease progresses, the mass becomes more prominent, harder, and less mobile, indicating possible infiltrative growth.
3. Facial muscle weakness or asymmetry
If the tumor invades the facial nerve, symptoms of facial paralysis may occur, including crooked mouth corners and difficulty closing the eyelids.
4. Local pain or persistent dull pain
Some patients may experience discomfort in the preauricular or submandibular region, with mild tenderness or intermittent stabbing pain, often worsening at night.
5. Difficulty swallowing or chewing
As the tumor enlarges and compresses oral structures, it may affect chewing and swallowing functions, manifesting as difficulty eating or weak bite strength.
6. Tinnitus or hearing loss
Parotid gland cancers located near the deep preauricular area may compress the ear canal or auditory nerve, causing tinnitus, fullness, or decreased hearing.
7. Facial numbness or sensory abnormalities
If the tumor invades branches of the trigeminal nerve, patients may experience facial sensory disturbances such as numbness, burning, or reduced skin sensitivity.
8. Cervical lymph node enlargement
In advanced stages, cervical lymph node metastasis may occur, presenting as firm, painless enlarged lymph nodes with a nodular feel upon palpation.
9. Redness or ulceration of the skin surface
When the lesion progresses to the skin layer, localized redness, exudation, or ulceration may occur, often leading to secondary infections or ulcer formation.
Experts at United Life International Medical Center point out that early signs of parotid gland cancer are often mistaken for benign diseases, especially when the mass is painless and grows slowly, leading to neglect. If symptoms such as facial paralysis or mass enlargement occur, the possibility of parotid gland malignancy should be highly suspected. High-risk groups are advised to undergo regular maxillofacial imaging examinations. With advanced approaches such as immune reconstruction cell therapy and multidisciplinary interventions, survival rates and quality of life can be effectively improved.
