Acinic cell carcinoma (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==How to know you have acinic cell carcinoma?== | ==How to know you have acinic cell carcinoma?== | ||
:*Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy: In this procedure, the doctor places thehollow needle directly into the tumor mass and pulls cells and a few drops of fluid into a syringe. The cells are then viewed under a microscope by pathologists to determine if they are cancerous. | |||
:*Computed tomography (CT) scan: CT scans are often used to diagnose acinic cell carcinoma. It can confirm the location of the cancer and show the organs near the parotid gland, as well as lymph nodes and distant organs where the cancer might have spread. These are helpful for determining the stage of the cancer and in determining whether surgery is a good treatment option. | |||
:*Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI uses magnetic fields but it is a different type of image than what is produced by computed tomography (CT) and produces detailed images of the body. Like computed tomography (CT), a contrast agent may be injected into a patient’s vein to create a better picture. | |||
:*Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: When doing this test, a small amount of a radioactive medium is injected into your body and absorbed by the organs or tissues. This radioactive substance gives off energy which in turn is used to produce the images. PET can provide more helpful information than either CT or MRI scans. It is useful to see if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and it is also useful for your doctor to locate where the cancer has spread. | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Revision as of 18:50, 1 September 2009
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What is acinic cell carcinoma?
Acinic cell carcinoma is one slow growing type cancer of the salivary gland tumor. It doesn't have any early symptoms. With the development of the cancer, frequent symptoms include enlarged salivary gland, nausea, vomiting and digestion problems. Treatments include Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
How do I know if I have acinic cell carcinoma and what are the symptoms of acinic cell carcinoma?
Early acinic cell carcinoma does not have any symptoms. As the tumor grows larger, people may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Ongoing pain
- A newly noticed difference between the size and/or shape of the left and right sides of your face or neck
- Numbness in part of your face
- New weakness of the muscles on one side of your face
Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Who is at risk for acinic cell carcinoma?
Clinical data has suggested that the development of acinic cell carcinoma is related to several factors.
- Radiation exposure: Radiation treatment for the head and neck cancer increases the risk of developing salivary gland cancer. Workplace exposure to certain radioactive substances may also increase the risk of salivary gland cancer.
- Family history: Some epidemiological data suggest that members of some families seem to have a higher than usual risk of developing salivary gland cancers.
How to know you have acinic cell carcinoma?
- Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy: In this procedure, the doctor places thehollow needle directly into the tumor mass and pulls cells and a few drops of fluid into a syringe. The cells are then viewed under a microscope by pathologists to determine if they are cancerous.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan: CT scans are often used to diagnose acinic cell carcinoma. It can confirm the location of the cancer and show the organs near the parotid gland, as well as lymph nodes and distant organs where the cancer might have spread. These are helpful for determining the stage of the cancer and in determining whether surgery is a good treatment option.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI uses magnetic fields but it is a different type of image than what is produced by computed tomography (CT) and produces detailed images of the body. Like computed tomography (CT), a contrast agent may be injected into a patient’s vein to create a better picture.
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: When doing this test, a small amount of a radioactive medium is injected into your body and absorbed by the organs or tissues. This radioactive substance gives off energy which in turn is used to produce the images. PET can provide more helpful information than either CT or MRI scans. It is useful to see if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and it is also useful for your doctor to locate where the cancer has spread.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for acinic cell carcinoma?
Directions to Hospitals Treating acinic cell carcinoma
Prevention of acinic cell carcinoma
What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://www.thedoctorsdoctor.com/diseases/aciniccell_ca.htm
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/a/acinic_cell_carcinoma/basics.htm