Salivary Gland Cancer Treatment in India

Aarav Sharma, a 58-year-old high school...

Aarav Sharma, a 58-year-old high school history teacher, first noticed a persistent, painless lump below his left ear while shaving. Over three months, it grew slowly but steadily. He dismissed it as a swollen gland from a recent cold, but when it didn't subside and he began experiencing occasional numbness in his lower lip, his wife insisted he see a doctor. An ultrasound revealed a solid mass in his parotid gland. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of acinic cell carcinoma, a type of salivary gland cancer. His ENT surgeon, Dr. Mehta, recommended a superficial parotidectomy to remove the tumor while preserving the facial nerve. Aarav was terrified of potential facial paralysis, fearing it would end his teaching career. The surgery was successful, with the nerve intact, but he woke up with temporary weakness on that side of his face. Recovery involved managing drainage from the incision, facial exercises, and dealing with dry mouth. After six weeks of physiotherapy, his facial movement returned almost completely. The emotional journey was profound; the initial fear of cancer and disfigurement gave way to immense gratitude for his care team and a new perspective on life's fragility. He returned to teaching with a slight, now-characteristic smile asymmetry, feeling like a survivor with a story of resilience to share.