What Are Parotid Gland Tumors?
The parotid glands are the largest of your salivary glands and play an important role in producing saliva to break down food and support digestion. You have one parotid gland on each side of your face, located near the ears.
Parotid tumors are growths that often appear as a lump or swelling near the jawline, cheek, or in front of the ear. While parotid gland tumors are often benign, some can be malignant, which is why you should schedule an evaluation at Beach Cities ENTS if you ever notice an unexplained mass in this area. Even a benign tumor can start to affect nearby nerves and muscles as it grows.
Common symptoms of a parotid gland tumor include:
- Swelling near the ears
- Facial weakness
- Numbness
- Changes in your face's natural movement
Our ENT specialists in Torrance and El Segundo, CA offer a thoughtful, precise approach to identifying and treating parotid gland tumors. If you have any questions about facial growths or have started to notice any of the above symptoms, schedule a consultation with our providers.
How Do You Treat Parotid Gland Tumors?
Before recommending a treatment plan, your Beach Cities ENTS specialist will examine the mass, using ultrasound, a CT scan, or an MRI to determine its size and location. They may also perform a biopsy, which involves taking a small sample of the growth and testing it to learn whether it's benign or cancerous.
In most cases, the recommended treatment for a parotid gland tumor is surgical removal (parotidectomy). This surgery is done with general anesthesia and may require a short stay at the hospital post-procedure to monitor your health. After administering anesthesia, your surgeon will make an incision near the ear, taking care to ensure any scarring is minimal and easily hidden. Depending on the size and location of the tumor, they may remove just the growth or the entire gland before closing the incision.
If the tumor is malignant, your provider may recommend radiation therapy or chemotherapy after your parotidectomy to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
What Are the Benefits of Treatment for a Parotid Gland Tumor?
Not all parotid tumors are dangerous to your health, but they can have an impact on your confidence and peace of mind. At Beach Cities ENTS, we offer compassion, support, and reassurance for individuals in the Torrance and El Segundo, CA areas who suffer from parotid gland tumors, providing benefits that include:
- Removing the lump and improving facial symmetry
- Preventing the tumor from continuing to grow
- Reducing the risk of the tumor becoming more serious over time
- Protecting nearby structures, including the facial nerve
- Providing clear answers about whether the tumor is benign or malignant
- Supporting early treatment if the growth is cancerous
Beach Cities ENTS Reviews
Very knowledgeable and personable - She has been seeing our son since he was one year old for ongoing ENT-related issues. She has helped us navigate complicated issues and seems to favor lowest level of intervention medically required, which we prefer. She always seems genuinely happy to see her patients and she is good with him. We will continue to see her only as long as she is practicing.
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Dr. Levine was great. My Son had surgery and he made us feel comfortable and confident throughout the entire process. He even called on a Sunday to see how he was doing. He was professional, caring, and took the time to answer all of our questions. I am in healthcare and am really particular. The office staff was also friendly, welcoming, and efficient, making every visit a pleasant experience. I highly recommend Dr.Levine and his entire team.
I highly recommend the clinic staff for the great job and their passions that they show to their patients, in and out! thank you guys!!!
Excellent. Got in at my exact scheduled time. Staff is awesome.
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Don't Ignore Unexplained Growths
Not every parotid tumor is serious, but every mass deserves attention. With early evaluation and treatment at Beach Cities ENTS, you can protect the structures in your face and potentially save yourself from cancer. If you believe you may have a parotid gland tumor, schedule a consultation with our ENT specialists in Torrance or El Segundo, CA as soon as possible to get the answers you need to move forward.