Ways To Treat Salivary Gland Cancer

Parotidectomy

A parotidectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove the parotid gland, which is the largest of the salivary glands and most common location of salivary gland cancer. There are three main techniques used for this type of surgery. A superficial or lateral method removes the parts of the gland near the surface or beside the facial nerve. A partial superficial method removes the part of the gland surrounding the tumor along with some facial nerves. The formal superficial technique removes nerves around the temple, face, and neck. A total parotidectomy removes all of the deep parts of the parotid gland. A less invasive version called the transcervical approach avoids the facial nerve by using a small incision in the neck. The most radical technique is performed when the tumor is encroaching on the facial nerve. This procedure excises both the parotid gland and the facial nerve.

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