When a person is diagnosed with cancer, they may feel as if their life is over. Sometimes, in media and pop culture, the depiction of cancer has been such that people almost immediately associate this disease with death. However, there are a lot of cancer patients who are fully cured of the disease. If a person is diagnosed with cancer at the right time, they will not have to struggle so much because of their health. With a proper roadmap for their healthcare and treatment, these people will be able to retain a good quality of life. There may be different kinds of cancer that people can experience. Salivary gland cancer is one such type of cancer, and it can be useful to be aware of the different aspects that are associated with it.

What Is Salivary Gland Cancer?

Salivary Gland Cancer

Salivary gland cancer is a cancer that affects the salivary glands. This cancer is caused by some kind of abnormal nature or mutations of the cells in this region, which first appear here and may spread to other parts of the person’s body. 

Salivary gland cancer forms in a person’s salivary glands. Salivary glands are the organs in the mouth and throat that are responsible for the production of saliva, or “spit.” Common symptoms of this kind of cancer consist of a painless lump in the mouth or jaw. A person who has this disease or health condition may have a prognosis that depends on many factors. Prognosis depends on various factors, including the salivary gland where the cancer starts and whether the cancer spreads beyond your salivary glands.

Understanding Cancer

Cancer is a disease that is usually caused by some kind of mutation or abnormal cells that are present in the body. The effects of cancer can be severe, sometimes even leading to death. Cancer cells form groups called tumors. As time passes, the tumor will keep growing in the person’s body, increasingly impacting the body. This can cause severe issues for the person, majorly impacting their quality of life. This can affect productivity, how much a person relies on others for daily tasks, and more. One must note that not all tumors are the same. There are two kinds of tumors that can be found in a person’s body. These tumors are called benign tumors and malignant tumors.  

Benign tumors are non-cancerous, while malignant tumors are cancerous in nature. A benign tumor will not spread around in the body, and the cells that form this mass usually divide very slowly, so the tumor does not have much effect on the body. The benign tumor will not cause issues for the person, and for this reason, it is sometimes not even detected in the body. A malignant tumor is a cancerous tumor. This kind of tumor can expand quickly, degrading a person’s cells, tissues, and organs. This will often lead to problems for the person, and it can sometimes even be fatal. Cancer is a disease that progresses and gets worse with time, so you must get treated for it immediately. The sooner the patient has been appropriately diagnosed with the necessary type of cancer, the higher the chance they will be completely cured of the cancer they are experiencing at the time. This can even play a great role in saving their lives, which is very important.

Symptoms Of Salivary Gland Cancer

There are different kinds of symptoms that people can experience because of different kinds of health issues. Patients who are experiencing the disease or those who may suspect that they have some condition may find it easier to identify the disease if they know about the kinds of symptoms they are experiencing. It should be noted that not everyone experiences symptoms of salivary gland cancer, but if you do, it is best to get this checked as soon as possible and addressed by a qualified doctor, oncologist, or medical professional. 

Some symptoms of this kind of cancer are the following:

  • Feeling unusually weak or numb in the face, neck, jaw, or mouth
  • Feeling some kind of persistent pain in the face, neck, jaw, or mouth
  • Having problems opening your mouth fully or moving one’s facial muscles
  • The person may not be able to swallow very easily. 
  • Some kind of bleeding in the mouth is often an indication of salivary gland cancer and should be assessed and addressed as soon as possible.

There may be some more symptoms that you could experience if you have this kind of cancer. The symptoms may also affect people differently, and if they get very severe, it is crucial to discuss the same with your doctor, oncologist, or an appropriate medical professional. This will help you and allow you to get the necessary care.

Top Hospitals For Cancer Treatment In India

The hospital or medical facility where you choose to undergo treatment can have an effect on you. This is very important and will not only affect the kinds of facilities, doctors, oncologists, and more that you will have access to, but you will also be able to get better results from YouTube treatments that you undergo. This can make a world of difference for you and even help cure you of cancer.  

Some of the best hospitals for the treatment of cancer in India are the following:

  • All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
  • Tata Memorial Hospital.
  • Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology.
  • Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.
  • BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital.
  • American Oncology Institute.
  • Fortis Hospital.
  • Saifee Hospital.

There may be more facilities where you could undergo this treatment, but the ones that have been mentioned above are some of the most popular choices.

Who Is At Risk Of Getting This Cancer?

While anyone can get cancer, there are some people who may be more prone to the disease than others. These people should try to be aware of the same and take the necessary approach to their health. 

Persons who may be at a greater risk of getting this kind of cancer are the following:

  • They are above the age of 55.
  • If you smoke regularly, you are more likely to be diagnosed with this disease.
  • The person is a regular consumer of alcohol. 
  • If one has undergone radiation therapy. Particularly in their head or neck, they will stand a chance of getting this cancer.
  • Working in certain occupations, such as plumbing, rubber product manufacturing, asbestos mining, and leatherwork, can lead to a higher risk of this cancer.

If you are at risk of getting this cancer, you should discuss how you should approach your health with your doctor.

How Is Salivary Gland Cancer Treated?

Salivary gland cancer is treated in a particular way, and if you have this cancer, it can be useful to be aware of the way this is done. This will help you know what to expect and will make your cancer treatment and medical journey easier. Cancer treatment can be stressful, but with the right approach and care, you will be able to get the intended results from your treatment. 

This kind of cancer is treated in the following ways:

  • Surgery: Surgery may be done to remove the tumor from your body. 
  • Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy can be done by making use of a machine that directs radiation toward the part of your body with cancer cells and then destroys them.
  • Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy makes use of some kinds of medicines or drugs that are used to destroy cancer cells.
  • Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a kind of treatment that makes use of some kinds of medicines to help the immune system identify cancer cells and then fight them.
  • Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy is a kind of treatment that makes use of medications that target weaknesses in a cancer cell’s genetic code (DNA), which can be used to destroy the cancer or stop it from growing.
  • Radiosensitizers: Radiosensitizers are medications that make cancer cells more sensitive to radiation and can help with the treatment of salivary gland cancer. 
  • Combination therapy or treatments: Depending on the kind of cancer that a person is experiencing, one can receive and undergo many combinations of treatments that can help in removing the cancer from their body and preventing it from growing back or recurring. Your doctor will therefore customize the treatment that they offer you for your health, depending on what you need at the time. 

There may be more ways in which you could be treated for this cancer. These treatments will help to improve your health and will minimize the problems that you are facing because of your cancer. It is important that you cooperate with your doctor so that you are able to get the best results and even cure your cancer.

Can I Be Completely Cured Of This Type Of Cancer?

A person who has been diagnosed with a certain kind of cancer and is undergoing treatment for it may wonder if they’ll ever be able to be completely cured of it. There are different factors that will affect your health prognosis when it comes to this disease that you must try to be aware of. 

Your health and prognosis in relation to salivary gland cancer depend on the following factors: 

  • The size of the tumor in your body 
  • Whether or not and to what extent the cancer has spread in your body
  • If you have experienced a recurrence of cancer, it can affect your prognosis.
  • Which part of the salivary gland contains a cancerous tumor or cells?
  • The nature of the cancer cells in the body determines whether they are very abnormal or not when they are viewed with a microscope.
  • The overall state of your health will impact how your treatment goes and to what extent your health can improve.

There can be more factors that can affect your overall health and prognosis, but the above-stated ones are the most important ones.

What Can I Ask My Doctor About Salivary Gland Cancer?

Not everyone knows how they will be treated or what to expect when it comes to their health, treatment, and more after being diagnosed with cancer. It can be useful to get some guidance and information about this. This will help you to have a smoother medical journey and struggle less while you are being treated for cancer. It can be useful to have some suggestions as to what you can ask your doctor, oncologist, or other suitable medical professional. 

Some things that you can ask your doctor, oncologist, or other suitable medical professional are:

  • What kind of cancer do I have?
  • What stage of cancer am I experiencing?
  • Will I need to undergo chemotherapy at some point?
  • Do I need to undergo radiation therapy?
  • Could I get a second opinion on my health?
  • What is the best hospital I can get my treatment at?
  • Are there any kinds of cancer support groups that I could join?
  • How long will my treatment for cancer last?
  • How can I take care of my health with this type of cancer?
  • Can I get a second opinion on my health and diagnosis?
  • What is the best hospital in the country to address my needs?

There may be some more things that are important to ask your doctor. This will help you during your medical journey. If you face any issues or want to ask your doctor about something that is related to your health, you should do this as soon as possible. This will ensure that you do not face any further problems and that all of your needs are addressed.

Conclusion 

You may feel daunted by your cancer diagnosis, but with the right approach, this will not last long. You will be able to retain a great quality of life and live normally if you are given the appropriate treatment. If you have been diagnosed with salivary gland cancer, it is crucial that you follow the instructions and advice that your doctor gives you. You must not take any kinds of health-related risks and try to have an appropriate approach to your health if you have been diagnosed with cancer. This will allow you to get the best results when it comes to your health and have the best possible quality of life.