Lawrence Chow / ENT Doctor
Q&A About Parotid Gland Cancer
Parotid gland cancer accounts for majority –about 85% – of all cases of salivary gland tumors. Emphasis must be made, furthermore, that not all parotid tumors are malignant – only about 25% are cancerous. As a type of salivary gland tumor, parotid gland cancer is rare.
Where Does It Occur?
The salivary glands produce saliva, an essential substance in the digestive process as well as in supporting good oral health and in keeping the mouth moist. These are classified into three major types located under and behind the jaw – sublingual, submandibular, and parotid. There are also small salivary glands in other parts of the mouth and throat.
The parotid glands are the largest of these three major types of salivary glands. These are located in front of the ears, one on each side of the head.
What Should You Be Aware Of?
Parotid tumors cause multiple symptoms including:
- Lump on or near your jaw
- Lump in your mouth or neck
- Persistent pain in the area
- Burning or tingling sensation
- Muscle weakness on one side of your face
- Numbness on one part of your face
- Loss of facial movement
- Trouble swallowing
- Difficulty in opening your mouth widely
The mass in your mouth, jaw, or neck may or may not be painful but it’s important to have it checked by your ENT doctor regardless. With a malignant parotid tumor, the facial nerves are also affected resulting in the pain, muscle weakness, and loss of facial movement.
We must emphasize, however, that a mass or lump near your salivary gland doesn’t mean that it’s cancerous. There are many non-cancerous medical conditions that can cause swelling in the salivary glands, such as a stone in their ducts or an infection in the glands.
Who Is At High Risk?
Risk factors refer to the conditions that can increase the risk of developing a certain disease or disorder. But take note that having one or more risk factor doesn’t mean that you will definitely develop the illness – there are many factors that come into play in disease and disorder development.
The risk factors for parotid gland cancer are:
- Older age with most patients being older adults; salivary gland tumors, however, can happen at any age
- Radiation exposure, an ironic thing considering that radiation therapy is used in the treatment of head and neck cancers
- Exposure to certain substances in the workplace, such as asbestos and rubber used in mining, plumbing and manufacturing
If your ENT doctor suspects parotid gland cancer, you will undergo several diagnostic exams. These usually include a thorough physical exam to check for lumps in your jaw, neck and throat, a biopsy to determine whether it’s malignant or benign, and imaging tests like MRI and CT scan.
Parotid gland cancer is treatable with the treatment options including parotidectomy, a surgical operation to remove the parotid gland either partially or completely, and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy hasn’t been proven effective in its treatment.
HK ENT Specialist Ltd. is a Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre offering ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy, Sleep Disordered Breathing Management, Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services. If you have ENT problem, it is suggested to call us to make an appointment for the appropriate ENT services.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
Tongue Cancer Treatment: Choose It Wisely And Prepare For It Well
Making smart choices in your tongue cancer treatment can be difficult for many reasons. The stress, anxiety and anger that come with the diagnosis of cancer can cloud your judgment, even reinforce your feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
While it’s a difficult process, you have to be an active partner with your ENT doctor and support network in choosing the best treatments in your case. You have, in fact, the primary responsibility in this regard since it’s your mind, body and life.
Making Your Choice
From the medical perspective, your treatment plan will be affected by several factors including:
- The type, location and size of the tumor (e.g., on the visible part of the tongue or at its base)
- The spread of the cancer, if any
- The symptoms, reactions and side effects that you have experienced with prior treatments
- Your age, general health, and medical history
From your personal perspective, you may have ambivalent feelings about the treatment plan recommended by your doctor. You may, for example, feel that everything’s happening too slow or too fast, a valid feeling because it’s your body.
You should then check with your ENT doctor about the right timing for your treatment, especially as you can listen to your body’s signals. You can take as much time as possible before making your decision unless, of course, time is of the essence in beating tongue cancer.
Making your choice should also be based on a deeper understanding of the disease, even when it doesn’t equal the knowledge of your oncologist. At the very least, you should know the available treatments, their pros and cons, and their side effects and complications. You may also want to discuss these matters with your family and friends who can provide emotional and spiritual support.
Most importantly, you have the right as a patient to accept or refuse any or all treatments offered. Your doctor can only provide medical advice but cannot impose his professional judgment on a patient.
The treatment options in tongue cancer includes surgical excision of the tumor, radiation therapy, targeted drug therapy, and chemotherapy. These are typically combined, such as in radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Preparing for Treatment
Regardless of your treatment plan, you should prepare for it in the physical and mental sense. Keep in mind that you will get worse before you can get better with anti-cancer treatments. Radiation therapy, for example, can seriously affect the functioning of your mouth, gums and teeth.
Before your treatment starts, you should consider:
- Seeing an oral medicine specialist or a dentist for the appropriate dental work before and after the treatment. Your dentist may pull out unhealthy teeth before your radiation therapy.
- Adopting healthy lifestyle habits that will affect your mind and body’s preparedness for surgery and other therapies. These include starting an exercise program, stopping smoking, and preparing your mind for the journey ahead.
You may feel that your recovery from tongue cancer isn’t in your control but it is! You just have to see where you can have control and grab it. For details of the treatment, it is suggested to consult an ENT Specialist.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
Treating a Tonsil or Adenoid Inflammation or Infection
Unless you were a very healthy child, there’s a good chance that you’ve missed a few days of school when you were little because of tonsilitis or adenoiditis. These conditions are fairly common in young kids as these body parts tend to shrink and disappear as a child get older. They’re pretty much the baby versions of sore throat that need immediate action.
What is a Tonsil or Adenoid Inflammation or Infection?
Tonsillitis or the inflammation or infection of the tonsils is the condition where the soft tissue mass in the throat becomes inflamed and infected. It’s characterized by some swelling and redness.
Adenoiditis, on the other hand, is the inflammation or infection of the adenoids or the lymphocyte-containing tissue at the back of your nasal cavity. It’s also characterized by swelling and redness.
Both the tonsils and adenoids serve protective purposes. As they both contain lymphocytes or the white blood cells that fight off bacterial and viral infections, they can really help keep the body in top shape. However, they’re not completely bulletproof which is why they also get infected. Both conditions are more common in children but can also be experienced by adults, especially tonsillitis.
Adenoiditis, however, is said to be more noticeable in children. Aside from being more common in children than adults, it can also block nasal passages, making its urgent treatment necessary.
Common Causes of Tonsillitis and Adenoiditis
As mentioned above, both conditions are caused by bacterial and viral infections. What causes these infections, on the other hand, is the patient’s exposure to allergens and pollutants.
Risk Factors of Tonsillitis and Adenoiditis
Because these conditions are brought by bacterial and viral infections, it can also cause more complications if not treated effectively. In many cases, it leads to sleep apnea or breathing difficulties in one’s sleep. It also causes snoring which can be disruptive to the patient and their bed partner’s sleep.
In some occasions, both conditions can also lead to upper respiratory tract infection. The bacteria or virus that caused the ailments can travel down the throat and wreak havoc elsewhere. This can then lead to more serious problems later on.
Signs and Symptoms
How can you tell if you or your little one has any of these conditions? Here are a few of its symptoms:
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Red and swollen tonsils
- Swollen and tender lymph nodes under the jaw
- Head and ear ache
- Fever
- Chills
- Bad breath
- Snoring
Treating Tonsil or Adenoid Inflammation or Infection
Treating both conditions are pretty straightforward. In most cases, you only really need to treat it with antibiotics. It’s important to complete the cycle, however, to prevent the recurrence of the infection.
In chronic cases, however, your ENT doctor might recommend the removal of the said body parts altogether. Tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies are considered as minor procedures, however, so you don’t have to worry much about them. They might not even require hospitalization but in some cases, an overnight stay might be needed.
As ENT problem is quite different from case to case, it is suggested to consult an ENT Specialist for the appropriate ENT services.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
Frequent Throat Clearing Might Be a Sign of A More Serious Condition
For some reason, throat-clearing is one of the most effective ways to grab people’s attention. One ‘ahem’ and all eyes and ears are on some folks. This is why frequent throat-clearing can be a pet peeve of some. Unfortunately, it can also be a sign of a serious condition.
If you often experience some hoarseness in your throat that prompts you to clear them every now and then, you might want to check this out.
Reasons for Frequent Throat-Clearing
There are tons of reasons why some people are compelled to clear their throat very often. Usually, it’s a symptom of a more serious condition like the following:
Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)
Also known as silent reflux, this condition pushes up stomach matter to your throat which makes it uncomfortable and makes you clear your throat several times. It’s a lot like acid reflux but it doesn’t usually cause heartburn so it’s less noticeable. The only telltale sign, really, of this condition is the fact that it causes frequent throat-clearing.
Tourette syndrome
Excessive throat-clearing can also be a manifestation of the neurological disorder known as the Tourette syndrome. This condition causes physical tics and vocal outbursts of various kinds.
Allergies
Food allergies can also make you want to clear your throat often. Sometimes, the residue of the food you’ve eaten can tickle your throat which will then prompt you to clear it often.
Postnasal drip
This condition is caused by the body’s excess production of mucus which can then drip down your throat from the back of your nose. It can then create a discomfort in your throat which will then make you clear your throat every so often.
In most occasions, postnasal drips are caused by allergies, viral and sinus infections, cold weather, pregnancy, spicy food, dry air, and some medications.
- Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder with streptococcus (PANDAS)
- This condition is usually a complication of strep throat or scarlet fever in young children. Motor tics are common manifestations of the condition and it sometimes come in the form of chronic throat-clearing.
- However, there are also many cases where excessive throat-clearing is done as a habit. Some folks usually do it subconsciously when they’re stressed or anxious.
- How to Stop Clearing Your Throat Excessively
- If you’re starting to get conscious with your habit of frequent throat-clearing, you might want to know that there are ways how you can make it stop. Here are a few examples of the best ways to go about it:
- Treat the underlying condition.
- By treating the condition that’s causing your excessive throat clearing, your throat won’t have to feel uncomfortable and you won’t feel the need to clear it all the time anymore.
- Be more conscious about your habit.
- There are some instances wherein there’s really no underlying cause for you to need to clear your throat so often. So in these cases, make a conscious effort to stop your habit. Catch yourself when you’re trying to move your throat. Be more self-aware and actively fight this rather annoying habit.
- Drink more fluids.
- To ease the discomfort on your throat, drinking fluids can be of help.
- Find an alternative habit.
If you tend to clear your throat too often as a habit, you might want to switch it to something else. Experts recommend the following as alternatives:
- Swallowing twice
- Sucking on a sugar-free candy
- Yawning
- Coughing
Since ENT problem is quite different from case to case, it is suggested to consult an ENT Specialist for the appropriate ENT services.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
Eight Important Things You Need to Know About Nasal Bone Fractures
Known simply as broken nose, nasal bone fractures make up 40% of all bone injuries and 50% of all facial fractures. It’s a fairly common injury and can be experienced by anyone. Despite this, however, it’s quite a delicate condition that can lead to complications if not handled properly.
To help you better understand this condition, we’ve listed down eight important things that you should know if you ever find yourself with a nasal bone fracture.
Eight Things You Need to Know About Nasal Bone Fractures
- Broken noses are commonly caused by physical injuries, assaults, sports trauma, falls, and motor vehicle collisions.
It’s rather safe to say that it’s usually a result of a fierce impact connecting with the patient’s nasal area.
- Its most common symptoms include bleeding, swelling, and pain.
Most nasal bone fractures come with a lot of bleeding, swelling, and pain in the affected area. In more severe cases, it can also create difficulties in breathing if the bones affected manage to block your airways. This can become a serious problem so it requires immediate medical attention.
- Nasal bone fractures can become complicated.
Aside from breathing difficulties, there are other complications that can come with a broken nose. One example is nasal septal hematoma which can lead to a destroyed septum. In some cases, it can also result in deformity, hemorrhage, and infections.
- Getting an x-ray is the best way to confirm a broken nose.
While it’s quite easy to tell if you have a nasal bone fracture, confirming the condition is also a must if you want to take the right steps in treating it. To do this, it’s highly recommended that you get an x-ray. This will help you get a good visual of what you’re dealing with. It will also allow you to get the medical treatment you need.
- Treatments for broken noses vary depending on the severity of the case.
In some instances, cold compresses and pain meds are already enough to treat a nasal bone fracture. Other, more severe, cases require additional steps to deal with the injury in order to prevent deformity. These will usually need manual realignment, a surgery, and a few months of treatment.
- Some cases do not require immediate treatment.
Uncomplicated nasal bone fractures do not need urgent treatment but you’ll still need to see an ENT doctor within 5-7 days. This is also because some minor cases can lead to nasal septal hematoma. This can further complicate the condition so you should make sure to seek medical attention as soon as you can.
- Preventing nasal bone fractures is completely possible.
As this injury is commonly caused by violent accidents, taking necessary safety measures and precautions can suffice in its prevention. Wearing helmets, seat belts, and necessary safety equipment will all help keep your nasal bone safe from harm.
- Your movements will be limited while treating a broken nose.
No matter what your case is, you’ll have to take specific safety measures during the healing period of your broken nose. Make sure to take notes on these matters as they can make or break your recovery period.
Since ENT problem is quite different from case to case, it is suggested to consult an ENT Specialist for the appropriate ENT services.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
How To Handle Pharyngitis?
Also commonly referred to as ‘sore throat’, pharyngitis is said to be the most common cause of visits to the ENT doctor and missed work days. Characterized by some pain in the back of the mouth, it’s the very definition of many people as being ill. In most cases, it also comes with some scratchiness and difficulty in swallowing.
While the condition in itself is not life-threatening, it can also come with a wide range of other serious conditions. It can also be highly contagious, depending on your underlying condition. These make it crucial to address right away.
Causes of Pharyngitis
Like the other conditions that involve some swelling in and around the oral cavities, pharyngitis is also typically caused by a viral or bacterial infection. A few of the most common examples of these are the following:
- Adenovirus or common colds
- Influenza virus
- Coxsackie virus
- Mononucleosis virus
- Measles
- Whooping cough
- Croup
- Group A streptococcus
- Gonorrhea and chlamydia (in rare cases)
Some people are also more likely to get sore throat than others. For example, those who are often exposed to folks with viral infections have higher risks of contracting similar condition and pharyngitis consequently. Those who are also often exposed to secondhand smoke can expect to get this condition quite often.
Signs and Symptoms
Aside from experiencing pain on your throat, here are the other telltale signs of pharyngitis:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Malaise
- Joint pains
- Cough
- Headache
- Chills
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Rashes
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Difficulty in swallowing
It’s always a good idea to see an ENT doctor if you have the mentioned symptoms. As this condition is usually caused by an infection and can be contagious, treating it properly and immediately is a must.
Treating Pharyngitis
If you’ve been diagnosed with sore throat, you don’t have to worry about having to stay at the hospital. This condition is treatable at home.
The most basic home treatment techniques you should do include:
- Drink plenty of fluids. This will help you avoid becoming dehydrated which is common when you’re running a fever.
- Gargle with warm salt water. This helps kill harmful bacteria inside the mouth and help you prevent the infection from worsening.
- Use a humidifier. Dry air can aggravate the swelling and soreness of your throat, so make sure to keep the air you breathe a bit humid.
- Take throat lozenges. They can help further soothe your sore throat.
Seeing an ENT doctor will also help you treat pharyngitis effectively. However, you should closely follow the instructions of your doctor. This is especially crucial if you have a bacterial infection as those can worsen if not treated right away. Make sure to take all of the antibiotics accordingly as it’s the only way that you can be sure that the infection will be cured. Since ENT problem is quite different from case to case, it is suggested to consult an ENT Specialist for the appropriate ENT services.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
Diagnosis And Treatment With Otolaryngology Cancer
Lumps in the neck, persistent nosebleeds, and mouth ulcers. These are among the common symptoms of otolaryngology cancer, a group of cancers that affect the soft tissues of the head and neck. Here’s basic information that will get you started on your, hopefully, successful fight against otolaryngology cancer.
Diagnostic Tools Used
Lumps in the neck can be manually examined by an ENT doctor, usually by using his fingers and determining the characteristics of the mass. Not all lumps require surgery, of course, since some lumps can be treated with medications, even left as is. Other lumps may require more investigation into their specific location in the head or neck and into their nature.
Many types of head and neck cancer require imaging tests, such as ultrasound scans, CT scans, and MRI scans, as well as fine needle biopsy. These diagnostic tests aid the doctor in determining the need for surgical removal of the tumor as part of the diagnostic process (i.e., determine the likelihood of cancer in a biopsy) and of the treatment plan. This is true in thyroid lumps.
The surgical removal of lumps can be done either under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. Your doctor will determine which type suits your physical condition and medical needs. For example, general anesthesia is required for the removal of tumors in the voice box while a local anesthesia is suitable for nose cancer.
Nasal endoscopy is used in the determination of the absence or presence of nose cancer and other types of cancer in the throat including the voice box. But for cancers down the esophagus, an oesophagoscopy can be recommended.
Treatment Options Considered
Cancers of the head and throat can be successfully treated with certain conditions. Early detection is crucial as the earlier cancer is diagnosed, the easier it is to cure with the treatment options available to your doctor. Early treatment can also mean lesser side effects.
For these cancers, the main treatments include surgery for the partial or complete removal of the tumor, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Every patient’s condition is unique and, thus, your treatment plan will be customized for the best possible results. Your doctor will carefully consider the type and extent of the cancer in your body and then formulate an exact treatment plan.
In nasopharyngeal cancer, chemotherapy directly administered into a vein and radiotherapy are the main line of treatment; these are administered over several weeks. Surgery may be required for initial diagnosis of nasopharyngeal cancer but it isn’t normally used in its treatment; the back of the nose can be a tricky location to operate on.
In thyroid cancer, surgery is performed for the removal of the tumor in the thyroid, perhaps even the affected lymph nodes in the neck. Afterwards, radioactive iodine treatment will likely be administered to kill the remaining cancer cells.
Side effects are to be expected no matter the treatment options considered. But stick it out and you can become a cancer survivor soon enough!
Since ENT problem is quite different from case to case, it is suggested to consult an ENT Specialist for the appropriate ENT services.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
Check For These Signs Of Otolaryngeal Tumor
Basically, an otolaryngeal tumor is a mass that develops in the ear, nose or throat – and, thus, it can be considered as a head and neck cancer, if it’s malignant. The tumor itself affects the soft tissues in head and neck causing a wide range of symptoms that affect quality of life.
In the following section, we will discuss the common signs and symptoms of otolaryngeal cancer. Keep in mind that many of these symptoms are also found in other medical conditions and, hence, it’s important to seek medical advice of the ENT doctor before jumping to conclusions.
Lump in the Neck
Before you panic, most lumps in the neck aren’t cancerous (i.e., benign) and are more likely caused by non-serious conditions, such as an inflamed gland. But if the lump in your neck persists for more than two weeks, or keeps growing in size, or isn’t painful even when firmly pressed, then you should see a doctor. You can’t let it fester, so to speak, as time is of the essence in cancer detection and treatment.
Lumps in the neck can be a sign of cancer in the nose, lymph nodes, and thyroid, as well as in other cancers of the ears, nose and throat. Your ENT doctor may be able to determine the cause of your lump in the neck from its position, too, and make an initial diagnosis of its type.
For example, if your lump is in your neck’s lower front part and it moves up and down when you’re swallowing, then it’s likely in your thyroid gland. Visual imaging exams, among other diagnostic tools, can confirm its location.
Nosebleeds
These typically happen when the nose lining suffers from a trauma due to an infection, allergy, and dry weather. For example, you may experience nosebleeds when you’re having a nose infection because you rub and scratch your nose more than usual.
But when your nosebleeds are persistent, or accompanied by unusual smell, or associated with headaches, or scanty, you have to seek medical consultation. You may or may not have otolaryngeal cancer but it’s important to have it checked nonetheless.
Mouth Ulcers and Swelling
If the lump in your neck is accompanied by ulcers, swelling, or soreness in your mouth, then you should have it checked, too. If the latter signs aren’t resolved within a week despite the use of medications, then you have more reasons to see your ENT doctor.
Difficulty in Swallowing
Dry throat, tonsillitis, and throat infections are among the possible reasons for your difficulty in swallowing food and fluids. But if you have a persistent feeling of something being stuck in your throat, you should see your doctor for a definitive diagnosis.
Your other symptoms, such as lump in your neck, frequency of nosebleeds, and ulcers in your mouth, will be considered along with your difficulty in swallowing. You may also undergo an oesophagoscopy, or a swallowing x-ray, to determine the cause.
If possible, you should write down when your symptoms started, as well as their frequency, severity and duration. The information will be useful for your ENT doctor during diagnosis.
Since ENT problem is quite different from case to case, it is suggested to consult an ENT Specialist for the appropriate ENT services.
Source:
HK ENT Specialist Ltd.
Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre
For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,
Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,
Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services
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另所有文章內使用的人名均為化名。
另所有文章內使用的人名均為化名。