The adenoma of the salivary gland is a benign tumor. It can occur in the parotid, submandibular or sublingual salivary glands. More often it is found in the parotid glands, on the right or on the left. This disease affects older people, mostly women.
What is the adenoma of the salivary gland?
The adenoma basically consists of glandular or connective tissue and appears as a small tubercle, which slowly increases over the course of decades. This tumor has a rounded shape, slightly bumpy surface and clear boundaries. Skin and mucous membrane above it remain of normal color. The adenoma itself is painless and for a long time the sick person does not feel it.
For a long time, the adenoma grows to huge sizes in the form of a knot encased in a tight capsule filled with a light liquid. In some cases, the adenoma of the salivary gland can develop into a malignant tumor.
The causes of salivary gland adenoma
Despite the large number of scientific studies conducted, the causes of this pathology are not fully understood. The most common are the following:
- possible past trauma to the neck in the salivary glands;
- infectious processes in the salivary glands;
- congenital pathologies;
- lesions of the salivary glands with the herpes virus or oncogenic viruses;
- tobacco smoking;
- hormonal changes in menopause ;
- frequently repeated x-ray studies in the neck;
- treatment of hyperthyroidism with radioactive iodine ;
- work in the chemical and woodworking industries.
One of the most common tumors of the salivary gland is pleomorphic or mixed adenoma. In most cases, this pathology occurs in the parotid salivary gland.
The adenoma of the submandibular salivary gland is very rare and can occur for the same reasons as in the case of the pleomorphic parotid tumor. Each of these pathologies is removed surgically.