(Low Grade) Polymorphous Adenocarcinoma (Salivary Gland)

Hi Jenny, no

I'm sorry you are having such a worrying time. Hopefully you will have answers soon. 

I have Salivary Gland Cancer too, but a different sort to yours, ( mine is mucoepidermoid carcinoma).

I don't know quite what I can say to reassure, other than what my experience has been.

 I was put under the maxillofacial/oral surgeon at a more regional hospital than my local, and never had any dealings with my GP as I was referred by dentist, (after a long search fir an actual dentist. When I did go to a GP they had dismissed it as nothing to to worry about. I didn't believe them).

I don't know about Canada, but here in the UK our GP's don't really do mouth issues, and we have a crisis in dentistry). However, at least your GP has referred you along the pathway with a specialist. I don't know if your set up is different, but I'd have thought you needed maxillofacial rather than ENT, however, that might come along. 

My first line of treatment was surgery as well, two lots in fact, as they excised the tumour, and then went back in to increase the margin. It wasn't the loveliest of procedures, there was morphine etc afterwards, and a sort of plate held in place by my teeth to cover the wound whilst it healed. But mouths heal quickly. I had the second surgery in August and went back to work in October, although that might have been a bit soon. Both if these were day procedures, not requiring any sort of overnight stay.

There was pain, but also morphine and I did feel a bit sorry for myself for a few days. There was a bit of having to learn to eat again, from pureed back up to solids. But like I say, mouths do heal quickly from surgery, and although it was difficult at the time, it was bearable and wasn't too long in recovery. 

Waiting is the worst part really. Once you know what is what and you have a plan, I think most of us just deal with what is thrown at us, and maybe have to ask for a bit more help than maybe we are used to. 

It is good news if they are thinking low grade if at all, as that means it is slow growing and so not too worrying from that point if view. It is my understanding that the vast majority of Salivary Gland tumours are not malignant so fingers crossed yours is in that category. 

However, it is s worrying time, and I hope you get some sort of resolution quickly.

All the best

Rachael xx

Thank you so much for your reply Rachael. Was it just this past year that you went through your surgeries?  My second biopsy was done under a general anesthetic as my ENT wanted to take a larger sample (first sample was too small) and also make sure my airway was good. She has now referred me for the surgery so I assume it will be with a surgical specialist (maxillofacial?) for this type of thing. Do you mind my asking, how large was your tumour? And do they think you need further treatment or are you waiting to hear about that. Thanks so much, again, for your response.

Well my first 2 surgeries were 3 years  ago. Unfortunately my tumour was behaving a bit strangely and I had a recurrence this year, which is quite unusual, and for which I have had a major surgery and radiotherapy which I finished just before Christmas. I can't actually remember how big the first incidence was to be honest.  But I had seriously thought that that would be it and I think the surgeon was pretty confident too. However, not to be. But the first surgery is more relevant to your situation and it's 95% successful as far as I can see. And although it was tough at the time, it did heal relatively quickly without long term complications or consequences. 

Best R