Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common type of cancer that affects your salivary glands. These glands are responsible for producing saliva that helps with chewing and digesting the food you eat. It can occur in minor or major salivary glands located near your jaw and in front of your ear, and can grow slowly of agresisvely depending on its stage. This is why recognizing symptoms in the first place is crucial.
Types and grades of mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Mucoepidermoid is usually classified by its grade. This can help doctors understand how aggressively cancer can behave in your body. There are three grades in which mucoepidermoid is classified: low-grade tumors, intermediate-grade tumors, and high-grade tumors. Low-grade tumors may grow slowly and are associated with a better prognosis. On the other hand, intermediate-grade tumors have features that fall in the middle, while high-grade tumors spread and grow more or aggressively with higher chances of spreading to other tissues. This is why determining the type of tumor is important for doctors to carry out the proper diagnosis.
Symptoms you should not ignore
The symptoms of mucoepidermoid can vary depending on how the tumors develop.
A lump near your jaw or cheek
Pain in the affected area
Numbness in a particular part of your face
Difficulty in speaking
Reduced jaw movements
Diagnosis and treatment options
Doctors usually begin their diagnosis by examining your condition to get an idea about what exactly is happening to you. They may make use of imaging techniques like a CT scan or an MRI to have a close look at your tumor. If the results suggest anything serious, then they may conduct a biopsy to confirm the presence of cancer. Once the cancer is confirmed, doctors can go with molecular testing to classify the grade of your tumor. with all the information they need, can they begin with their treatment? Doctors may consider surgery as their primary approach to remove as much of the tumor as possible. After this, they may go with radiation therapy, certainly for high-grade tumors, to kill any remaining cancer cells. But this approach might vary as doctors try to tailor the treatment according to your condition.
Early attention for early detection
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma can be successfully treated if detected early. This is why you should pay attention to catch any unusual symptoms and seek medical attention at the earliest to avoid any future complications.