|
While there are no routine screening tests for salivary
cancer, in many cases it can be found early. (Screening tests are tests
for cancer that are done in people without any symptoms.) Often
patients or their doctors notice a lump in one of the salivary
glands--usually on the side of the face or in the mouth. And checking
the salivary glands for lumps is often a part of medical and dental
check-ups.
Finding the cancer early greatly increases the chances of a
cure. If you have any of the problems listed below, see a doctor right
away:
- a mass or lump in your face, neck, or mouth
- pain in one place in your face, neck, or mouth that doesn't
go away
- a difference in the size or shape of the left and right
sides of your face or neck that wasn't there before
- numbness in part of your face
- new muscle weakness on one side of your face
These are symptoms salivary gland cancer,
but they may also be caused by something else. Still, if you have any
of these problems, it's important to see a doctor right away so the
cause can be found and treated, if needed.
Tests to find salivary cancer
If there is any reason to suspect salivary gland cancer, the
doctor will use one or more methods to find out if you really have the
disease. After asking questions about your health, the doctor will do a
physical exam. The doctor will pay special attention to how the glands
feel and whether or not there is any weakness or numbness in the face.
If the standard exam shows anything that is not normal, your
doctor may do more tests or refer you to an otolaryngologist (a doctor
specializing in ear, nose, and throat problems) to do a more detailed
exam.
Imaging studies
Imaging studies use x-rays and other methods to take pictures
of the inside of your body. Imaging tests may be done for a number of
reasons--to help find a suspicious area that might be cancer, to learn
how far cancer may have spread, or to help find out if treatment is
working.
X-rays:
If you have a lump near your jaw, the doctor may order x-rays of the
jaws and teeth to look for a tumor. An x-ray of the chest can show
whether the cancer has spread to the lungs. It also gives information
about your heart and lungs that might be useful if surgery is needed.
CT (computed
tomography) scan: A CT scan is a special kind of x-ray
that takes pictures of the body from many angles. A computer combines
these pictures to form one detailed picture. CT scans are useful in
finding many types of tumors.
CT scans take longer than regular x-rays and you need to lie
quietly on a table while they are being done. Also, you might feel a
bit confined by the machine you need to lie in.
The CT scan can tell the doctor about the size, shape, and
place of a tumor and can help find swollen lymph nodes that might
contain cancer.
MRI (magnetic
resonance imaging) scan: An MRI, like a CT scan, makes a
cross-sectional picture of the body. But the MRI uses radio waves and
strong magnets instead of x-rays. MRI scans take longer than CT
scans--often up to an hour. The MRI machine makes loud clicking sounds
as it takes pictures. Some people find this disturbing. MRI scans can
help find the exact place and extent of a tumor. Sometimes they can
help a doctor tell if a tumor is benign or cancer.
PET (positron
emission tomography): PET uses a form of sugar that
contains a radioactive atom. Cancer cells in the body absorb large
amounts of the sugar and a special camera can detect the radioactivity.
This test is useful to see if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes. PET
scans are also useful when your doctor thinks the cancer has spread but
doesn't know where. PET scans can be used instead of several different
x-rays because they scan your whole body. Newer machines combine a CT
scan and a PET scan to even better pinpoint the cancer.
Biopsy
Once a tumor is found, a biopsy will be done to find out what
kind it is. A type of biopsy called
fine needle aspiration (FNA) is most often done. After
numbing the skin, the doctor places a thin needle into the gland and
draws out some fluid. The cells of the fluid are looked at under a
microscope to see if there are cancer cells. But a negative biopsy
doesn't always mean that there is no cancer. For instance, the needle
may not have removed enough cells to know for sure.
As mentioned above, FNA biopsy may not always provide an
answer. If the physical exam and imaging tests suggest that cancer may
be present, the doctor may advise surgery to remove the mass. This can
provide enough of a sample for a diagnosis and treat the tumor at the
same time. Last Medical Review: 02/26/2009
Last Revised: 02/26/2009
|
