Tumour in salivary Gland - Metastatic?

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lesleyb
lesleyb Member Posts: 15
edited August 2016 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Hi everyone, is there anyone out there who has had mets to the salivary gland. i have a tumour in there and they won't biopsy it because of the intricate surgery and the risks it could carry. I have mets to the bones mostly but this is a new one for me.

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  • Tina2
    Tina2 Member Posts: 2,943
    edited August 2016

    Lesleyb,

    I noticed a growing lump in a salivary gland 20+ years ago and consulted my oncologist about it. (I had stopped seeing him previously after being ostensibly cured of Stage I cancer.) He advised I see a surgeon and I ended up having a parotidectomy. The tumor was benign, as most parotid tumors are. Unfortunately, if they keep growing, they can affect the facial nerve and cause paralysis.

    One good aspect of the episode was that the slow healing of the incision on my neck caused me to finally quit a decades-long smoking habit.

    Good luck! PM me if you have questions. Just remember I had this surgery a long time ago and approaches to such things very likely have changed.

    Tina

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  • Longtermsurvivor
    Longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,438
    edited August 2016

    Hi Lesley,

    I've not experienced this myself, but I've known several people with head and neck cancers.

    Please consult a head and neck surgeon at a cancer center to discuss your possible options.

    The mouth is a delicate and intricate part of the body and too little or too much or the wrong treatment is life altering.

    Welcome to bco and hope others do chime in.

    warm wishes, Stephanie

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  • lesleyb
    lesleyb Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2016

    Thank you girls. Tina I am hoping mine is benign as well. I have seen a head and neck specialist and he is the one that suggested it would be better not to do the biopsy.



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  • RonnieKay
    RonnieKay Member Posts: 2,067
    edited August 2016

    This disease knows no boundaries...dang! My sister (at 38), had salivary gland C. It was primary so I understand different protocol. She had the tumor removed, benign, but had a second smaller one show up later. That was benign also. They said the earlier (smaller) it's removed, the less chance of damage to the facial nerves, muscles from the growth OR the surgery. Wishing you the best

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