Can you die from a Parotidectomy?

Can you die from a Parotidectomy? Prognosis. There is a 25-50% risk of facial weakness directly after parotidectomy and a 1-2% risk of permanent weakness. Frey’s syndrome may occur in up to 90% of patients.

Can you die from a Parotidectomy?

Prognosis. There is a 25-50% risk of facial weakness directly after parotidectomy and a 1-2% risk of permanent weakness. Frey’s syndrome may occur in up to 90% of patients. Risk of mortality is very low in reference to the surgery.

Can cancer of the parotid gland be cured?

Many salivary gland cancers can often be cured, especially if found early. Although curing the cancer is the primary goal of treatment, preserving the function of the nearby nerves, organs, and tissues is also very important.

Is Stage 4 salivary gland cancer curable?

Stage IV salivary gland cancers are very hard to cure, particularly if the cancer has spread to distant organs. Some of these cancers might be treated with surgery if the doctor feels all of the cancer can be removed. (This would be followed by radiation therapy and maybe chemo.)

How long is recovery for Parotidectomy?

While most patients recover completely within 3-4 months, others may take as long as one year.

How painful is a Parotidectomy?

The main complaint following parotid surgery is pain with eating, swallowing and neck movement. Some people experience a dull ache, while others feel a sharp pain. This should not keep you from eating anything you want and will improve daily after surgery.

How serious is parotid cancer?

If cancer is located only in the salivary gland, the 5-year survival rate is 95%. If the cancer has spread outside the salivary gland to nearby structures or lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate is 69%. If it is found after the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, the 5-year survival rate is 44%.

How long does Parotidectomy surgery take?

The parotid gland is removed under a general anaesthetic (you are asleep during the operation). The procedure will take approximately 1 to 2 hours. It involves a cut immediately in front of the ear and extending to the upper part of the neck. The cut will be made in a crease in the skin of the neck to hide the scar.

Where do parotid tumors metastasize to?

The parotid tissue is an uncommon location for metastases; it may involve head and neck carcinomas and cutaneous melanomas. More than 75% of parotid metastases are believed to spread into the intraparotid lymph nodes of a nearby malignancy.

Do benign parotid tumors have to be removed?

Treatment of Salivary Gland Tumors If you have a benign tumor, your doctor may recommend surgical removal to prevent it from becoming malignant over time. A benign tumor in the parotid gland can be removed using a surgical procedure called a partial superficial parotidectomy.