Discovery of New Salivary Glands Promises Improved Quality of Life for Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Discovering something new in the human body is not something that happens every day, so when it does happen, it is usually a worthy cause for excitement.
A group of oncologists in the Netherlands, while attempting to identify the location of prostate cells in prostate metastases, have just discovered what is believed to be a previously unidentified region of salivary gland tissue in the nasopharynx area. The discovery has since been confirmed in cadavers.
“We see how much these patients suffer,” says Dr. Glogauer. “This discovery has significant ramifications for how patients with head and neck cancer are managed.”
In this interview with Chiraz Guessaier, Manager CDA Oasis, Dr. Michael Glogauer, Head of Dentistry and Dental Oncology at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, highlights the significance of the discovery, particularly for patients receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
Dr. Glogauer believes that, thanks to the recent discovery, radiation oncologists will now be able to target their therapy to avoid this newly discovered area, sparing the salivary tissue and potentially enhancing quality of life for the patient.
We hope you find the conversation useful. We welcome your thoughts, questions and/or suggestions about this post and other topics. Leave a comment in the box below or send us your feedback by email.
Until next time!
Chiraz Guessaier, CDA Oasis Manager
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