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Overview of Post-Surgical Follow Up and Treatment

The type of treatment and frequency of follow up appointments required after the surgical removal of parotid tumors will vary depending on the tumor type and the surgical outcome.

There are many factors that will be considered when deciding on the best treatment plan for a patient, including:

  • Type of tumor
  • Extent and spread of tumor
  • Facial nerve involvement with the tumor
  • Lymph node involvement
  • Level of concern that the tumor might recur
  • Grade of tumor
  • Stage of tumor
  • Timing of pathology report

A surgeon will take these factors into consideration when determining what type of follow-up plan is reasonable for the patient. Some parotid tumors will require long-term surveillance, and some will require minimal post-surgical surveillance.

Patients should have a discussion with their surgeon and have a clear understanding of their post-surgical treatment plan.

For more detailed information related to factors that affect the post-surgical treatment plan, refer to the other tabs in this section.

References

1. Olsen, KD (2018). Master Slide Set. Salivary Gland Disease and Treatment. Mayo Clinic Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery,  pp. 24-173.

2. Olsen, KD (2000). Carcinoma of the Major Salivary Glands. In KD Olsen, Salivary Gland Disease and Treatment (pp. 174-184). Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.

3. Moore, EJ and Olsen, KD (2007). Total Parotidectomy. In KD Olsen, Salivary Gland Disease and Treatment (pp. 214-233). Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.

4. Olsen, KD (2004). Superficial Parotidectomy. In KD Olsen, Salivary Gland Disease and Treatment (pp. 234-246). Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.

5. Mayo Clinic. (2018, October 8.) Mayo Clinic Parotid Tumor Guide: Recovery after Parotid Surgery [Video File]. Retrieved by https://youtu.be/HK_9SJgHwfQ

6. Mayo Clinic. (2018, October 8.) Mayo Clinic Parotid Tumor Guide: Parotid Tumor Types [Video File]. Retrieved by https://youtu.be/AQvjJdZJuSU

7. The content in this section was drafted in consultation with Eric J. Moore, M.D., and Kerry D. Olsen, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

 

Post-Surgical Follow Up and Treatment

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