What is a Parotid Tumor Anyway?

    So you have a lump on your jaw near the ear. Everybody freaks out when they have a lump somewhere, so your concern is justified. Rest assured that your ENT will figure out what is going on and help you take care of this.

The parotid gland is one of the salivary, or spit, glands that help lubricate your mouth and begin the process of digesting the food you are chewing. It is one of 6 major glands that provide saliva on demand when you eat – or when you are thinking about going to your favorite Italian place and your mouth starts to water.

Just like with any organ in the body, parotid tumors may grow. Usually (>90% of the time) these are benign. But they can be malignant so concern is appropriate. And the most common tumor, called a pleomorphic adenoma, has a 10-15% chance of becoming malignant if not removed.

    If you have one of these seek the advice of a professional. Better to get it taken care of than to worry about it.