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What Causes Swelling In The Submandibular Gland?
Question: I just found my submandibular gland is solid. There is no pain, but it feels like the whole gland is solid. I don't feel any other nodes that are enlarged.
I have never smoked or used chewing tobacco. There is no history of cancer in my family.
I just noticed this the other day and I have had no symptoms.
My doctor referred me to an ENT but that will take a couple weeks.
The research I've done really scares me. On one hand I think I am low risk, but I can't stop from thinking I've got metastatic cancer......
I have never smoked or used chewing tobacco. There is no history of cancer in my family.
I just noticed this the other day and I have had no symptoms.
My doctor referred me to an ENT but that will take a couple weeks.
The research I've done really scares me. On one hand I think I am low risk, but I can't stop from thinking I've got metastatic cancer......
Brief Answer:
It is not likely to be a cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Although I have not examined you but since you do not smoke and their is no family history of cancer it is unlikely to be a cancer. Please try to relax
One of the commonest cause for the glands to become hard is a stone especially the type of stone which gets stuck in the glands itself however it is generally associated with pain. In my practice I have seen multiple patients with the same complaint as yours without pain but still having a stone in their gland!
Another possibility can be chronic inflammation of the gland which is common in the middle ages, as is yours.
I am not ruling out the possibility of a benign tumor because the best way to find out would be by doing a test called fine needle aspiration cytology. This test is very sensitive and can give the exact diagnosis. Please discuss this with your doctor
Take care
It is not likely to be a cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Although I have not examined you but since you do not smoke and their is no family history of cancer it is unlikely to be a cancer. Please try to relax
One of the commonest cause for the glands to become hard is a stone especially the type of stone which gets stuck in the glands itself however it is generally associated with pain. In my practice I have seen multiple patients with the same complaint as yours without pain but still having a stone in their gland!
Another possibility can be chronic inflammation of the gland which is common in the middle ages, as is yours.
I am not ruling out the possibility of a benign tumor because the best way to find out would be by doing a test called fine needle aspiration cytology. This test is very sensitive and can give the exact diagnosis. Please discuss this with your doctor
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
Thanks, that is the first upbeat info I have had. Searching for this online gives some really bad results. What feels like the entire gland as a solid mass as opposed to round sizes is one thing that got me scared. It went from something I did not notice to some large hard gland that now is ever so noticeable. How is a stone that size removed? I am trying to schedule an ENT apps but it will be a couple of weeks.
Brief Answer:
The Internet can be a scary place!!
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes I totally agree with you, whenever we search for a health issue on the Internet, only the sinister ones get highlighted, which is often very scary!!
A large stone may need surgical removal of the glands itself however smaller ones can be removed with a technique called sialendocopy in which a endoscope is passed through the glands duct and the stone removed
Hope I have answered your question satisfactorily
Take care
The Internet can be a scary place!!
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes I totally agree with you, whenever we search for a health issue on the Internet, only the sinister ones get highlighted, which is often very scary!!
A large stone may need surgical removal of the glands itself however smaller ones can be removed with a technique called sialendocopy in which a endoscope is passed through the glands duct and the stone removed
Hope I have answered your question satisfactorily
Take care
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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