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Small Bump And Swelling In Front Of Ear, Found Parotid Gland. History Of Pleomorphic Adenoma. Is Biopsy The Best Method?
9 years ago I had total parotidectomy because of pleomorphic adenoma . A month ago I had swelling in front of my ear every time after I ate. The swelling stopped now, but I can see in mirror a small bump that I can t feel when I touch it. I had an ultrasound and they saw 5 cm parotid gland . Doctor ordered biopsy at the hospital. I ma very scarred of posibility that it may be malignant and facial nerve damage if I had to have a new surgery. Any advice? thank you very much
Fri, 6 Sep 2013
hello and welcome to HCM,
I do understand your concern regarding the swelling even after surgery but since the swelling is small then in all probability you have nothing to worry about.
However unless we do a biopsy we can never be sure than the swelling is benign.
Biopsy is a safe procedure and since the swelling is quite palpable then the surgeon does not have to dig deeper or dissect deeper for the tissue to send for biopsy. So you do not have to worry about facial nerve damage.
Get the biopsy done as soon as possible so that you can put your mind at ease.
take care and get back to me with the report if possible
Dr Sriram Nathan
I do understand your concern regarding the swelling even after surgery but since the swelling is small then in all probability you have nothing to worry about.
However unless we do a biopsy we can never be sure than the swelling is benign.
Biopsy is a safe procedure and since the swelling is quite palpable then the surgeon does not have to dig deeper or dissect deeper for the tissue to send for biopsy. So you do not have to worry about facial nerve damage.
Get the biopsy done as soon as possible so that you can put your mind at ease.
take care and get back to me with the report if possible
Dr Sriram Nathan
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