Carlos Herrera, operated on for a parotid tumor: what percentage are benign?

The journalist Carlos Herrera has announced that he has undergone surgery to remove a benign tumor in the parotid. Parotid tumors are growths of cells that begin in the parotid glands. The parotid glands are two salivary glands located in front of the ears. There is one on each side of the face. Salivary glands generate saliva to help chew and digest food.

«I only talk to you with half a face. On Thursday I underwent surgery,” Herrera’s announcer on COPE said live to warn that he had undergone surgery at the Acero Maxillofacial Institute in Madrid. Apparently the tumor was completely localized and fortunately it was determined to be benign.

Thus, the program continued, thanking “the magical hands of Dr. Julio Acero”, while specifying that the operation had been “laborious” due to the situation, “but hey, I’m here,” the journalist summarized.

Different salivary glands

There are many salivary glands in the lips, cheeks, mouth, and throat. Cell growths, which are called tumors, can occur in any of these glands. The parotid glands are the most common location of salivary gland tumors.

Most parotid tumors are not cancerous. They are called non-cancerous or benign tumors in the parotid glands. Sometimes tumors are a type of cancer. They are called malignant tumors in the parotids or cancer of the parotid gland.

Parotid tumors often cause swelling of the face or jaw. They usually do not cause pain. Other symptoms include problems swallowing or loss of facial movement.

Doctors who specialize in problems affecting the ear, nose, and throat are often responsible for diagnosing and treating parotid tumors. These doctors are known as otolaryngologists.

Treatment of parotid tumors usually involves surgery to remove the tumor. If the tumor is cancerous, you may need more treatments. These treatments include radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Surgery

Operations to remove parotid tumors include the following:

Removal of part of the parotid gland. In most parotid tumors, surgeons can cut out the tumor and some of the healthy parotid gland tissue that surrounds it. The remaining part of the parotid gland continues to function as before.

Removal of the entire parotid gland. Surgery in which the entire parotid gland is removed is called a parotidectomy. It may be needed for larger tumors, cancerous tumors, and those affecting the deeper parts of the parotid gland.

Removing more tissue to remove the cancer completely. If parotid gland cancer has grown to nearby bones and muscles, part of these may be removed along with the parotid gland. Surgeons try to remove all of the cancer and a small amount of the healthy tissue around it. Then they work to repair the area, so that you can continue chewing, swallowing, talking, breathing and moving your face, notes the Mayo Clinic. This may involve transplanting skin, tissue, bone, or nerves from other parts of the body to make repairs. This type of surgery is not necessary for parotid tumors that are not cancerous.

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