Is there a lump near your ear, under your chin? Is it a Pleomorphic Adenoma? Let's talk!

Have you ever noticed a small lump near your ear, in your jaw, or inside your mouth? You may not have noticed it because it doesn't hurt. But even if it's a small lump, it's important to be aware of it. Today, we're going to talk about just such a thing - a condition called Pleomorphic Adenoma .

What is Pleomorphic Adenoma?

Simply put, this Pleomorphic Adenoma is noncancerous . That is, it is not a malignant tumor that spreads throughout the body. However, it is a tumor that can form in our salivary glands . Did you know that there are several glands in our mouth that help produce saliva? Of these, the parotid glands, which are located in front of the ears, are the most common. In addition, they can also form in the submandibular glands under the jaw and the small salivary glands in the roof of the mouth. The best thing is that once this tumor is removed surgically, it usually does not recur.

How common is this condition?

Now you might be wondering how common this is. Actually, Pleomorphic Adenoma is not that common . If you look at the statistics in a country like America, it is said that this condition affects about three people per hundred thousand (3 per 100,000). But, the most important thing is that this is the most common type of non-cancerous (benign) tumor that develops in the salivary glands. Although anyone can develop this tumor, it is usually seen more in women between the ages of 30 and 70 .

What are the symptoms of a Pleomorphic Adenoma?

How do these tumors present themselves? They are often first seen in these places:

• In front of your ear (this is a pleomorphic adenoma that develops in the parotid gland)
• Under your jaw (this is a pleomorphic adenoma that forms in the submandibular gland)
• On the roof or roof of your mouth (these are produced by small salivary glands)

The important thing is that these tumors grow very slowly . Therefore, you may not notice any symptoms at first. These symptoms appear over time:

• A single, painless lump usually begins to appear under the skin, in your jaw area, near your ear, or inside your mouth.
• When you touch this fruit, it can sometimes be soft and at other times a little hard .
• Most of the time, if you push this nut with your fingers , it will move around .

Most pleomorphic adenomas range in size from 2 centimeters (about the size of a peanut) to 6 centimeters (about the size of an egg). However, if left untreated , these tumors can sometimes grow much larger. Cases as large as 35 centimeters (about 13 inches!) have been reported. Imagine how difficult it would be to live with a tumor that large.

What causes Pleomorphic Adenoma?

Medical researchers still don't know exactly what causes pleomorphic adenoma, but they have identified several risk factors:

• Exposure to radiation: Some studies suggest that some people may develop these tumors 15 to 20 years after receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancers.
• Exposure to certain chemicals: It is suspected that certain chemicals used in rubber production, asbestos mining, or plumbing work may also be a cause.

What are the possible complications of Pleomorphic Adenoma?

This is a matter of some concern. About 5% of pleomorphic adenomas can become cancerous . This is called 'carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma' . Medical researchers still do not have a clear understanding of why this happens. That is why we say that even if it is a small tumor, it is important not to ignore it and to seek medical advice.

How do doctors diagnose this condition?

When you see a doctor, they will first do a physical examination . This means they will look at the location of the lump and its shape. Then they will ask you about your symptoms. In addition, they may also do the following tests:

• CT scan (Computed Tomography - CT scan): This can take cross-sectional images of the inside of the body. This helps to clearly see things like the size and location of the tumor.
• MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging - MRI scan): This is a test that looks inside the body, like a CT scan. However, it can produce clearer images of soft tissues.
• Needle biopsy: This involves using a very fine needle to remove a small sample of fluid or tissue from the lump. It is then examined under a microscope to determine the nature of the lump. This is the most likely way to determine whether the lump is cancerous or not.

How is Pleomorphic Adenoma treated?

The main and most common treatment for this is surgery to remove all or part of the gland affected by the pleomorphic adenoma . For example, a surgeon may perform a parotidectomy on a person with a pleomorphic adenoma in the parotid gland. This involves removing all or part of the parotid gland.

What are the possible complications of surgery?

As with any surgery, there are some complications that can occur with this surgery. Let's be aware of that too. But don't worry, not all of these things happen to everyone. Doctors do their best to minimize these risks.

• Reaction to anesthesia: Some people may have allergic or other reactions to the anesthesia given before surgery.
• Excessive bleeding: Excessive bleeding may occur during or after surgery.
• Infection: Germs can enter through the surgical wound and cause an infection.
• Facial nerve damage leading to temporary or permanent facial paralysis: This is a bit of an issue. This is because the facial nerve, which controls facial movements, is located near the parotid gland. If these nerves are damaged during surgery, movement on one side of the face may be impaired or completely stopped. Sometimes this is temporary, but rarely it can be permanent.
• Frey syndrome: This is a strange condition. When some of the nerves that are cut during surgery grow back, they can become misconnected to sweat glands. If this happens, you'll start sweating on the side of your face where you had the surgery when you eat, especially something spicy.
• Trouble speaking or swallowing: If the nerves in the face and mouth are damaged, speaking and swallowing may become a little difficult.
• Scarring: Surgery to remove salivary gland tumors can sometimes leave visible scars. However, doctors try their best to minimize these scars.

What is the outlook for Pleomorphic Adenoma?

This is really good news! More than 90% of pleomorphic adenomas that are surgically removed do not come back . That means that the condition is completely cured with surgery. So, there is nothing to worry about, right?

Can this situation be prevented?

Unfortunately, medical researchers still don't know the exact cause, so there's no surefire way to prevent it .

How do I take care of myself?

The best thing you can do is to be aware of any new lumps that appear on your jaw or near your ear . If they don't go away after a week or so, definitely see a doctor. You may be thinking, 'Do I need to see a doctor for this little lump?' The short answer is, yes, you definitely do . You're not alone, and many people go to the doctor for unusual lumps like these.

Although it's unlikely, new lumps near your jaw or ear could be a sign of a pleomorphic adenoma in your parotid or submandibular glands. Remember, pleomorphic adenomas are not cancer, but they can rarely become cancerous .

When do you need to go to the Emergency Room?

If you have surgery to remove a pleomorphic adenoma, ask your surgeon about any complications that may occur after surgery that require immediate medical attention . For example, if you have excessive bleeding, severe swelling, difficulty breathing, or a wound that is suppurating, it is best to go to the hospital immediately.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

You can ask questions like these:

• Do I have more than one non-cancerous tumor like this?
• What treatment options do I have?
• Will this tumor be completely cured with treatment?
• What can I expect after the surgery? What complications can occur?
• What are the chances of this happening again? What can be done to prevent it?
• Will this affect my daily life?

By asking these questions, you can gain a better understanding of your situation.

The most important thing we talked about - Take-Home Message

Okay, so what are the most important take-home messages for you from what we've talked about?

Pleomorphic adenoma is a benign tumor that can develop in our salivary glands. These often appear as small lumps in front of the ear, under the jaw, or inside the mouth. Because these tumors grow very slowly , you may not notice any symptoms for years. Rarely, some tumors can become cancerous . But the best part is, when these tumors are surgically removed, the condition is completely curable .

So, if you notice a new lump or growth near your ear, in your jaw, or inside your mouth, even if it's painless, and it doesn't go away within a week or two, definitely see a doctor for advice. Early detection is the best! Don't panic, doctors are here to help.

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