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Salivary gland tumor is a rare type of tumor that starts in any of the salivary glands in your mouth, which can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The salivary glands produce saliva to help you swallow, protect your teeth from bacteria, lubricate your mouth, and help the digestion of food. There are three major pairs of salivary glands: parotid, submandibular, and sublingual. Salivary gland tumors usually occur in the parotid gland and treatment often involves removal of the tumor.
You are given a general anesthetic so you are unconscious during the surgery. If the tumor is located in the parotid gland, your surgeon makes an incision that extends from the front of your ear to your neck to access the gland, then they carefully remove as much of the tumor as possible without harming your facial nerve. If the tumor has spread into deeper tissue, your surgeon may remove the entire gland.
Most people are required to stay in the hospital for one to four days following the surgery. However, you should not leave Belgium immediately after you are discharged from the hospital since you need to allow your body time to heal and attend follow-up checkups. The recommended length of stay is about 10 to 14 days.
The total recovery time until you do not feel any numbness and you are allowed to go back to your full routine can take as long as six months. However, you should be able to drive and do some light activities within 1-2 weeks. If your job is not too physical and does not involve heavy lifting, you may also be able to return to work in about two weeks.
Your doctor will give you a set of instructions that you need to follow. It is really important for you to change your lifestyle by having regular exercise (aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming, or biking) and following a healthy, well-balanced diet. You may also need to attend follow-up appointments, particularly if your tumor is cancerous, to make sure that the tumor has not returned and there are no new growths.
Saliva gland tumor removal is a complicated surgery, but it is generally safe and effective if done by a skilled professional. All surgery carries some side effects and risks, and salivary gland tumor removal is no exception. The side effects and risks include bleeding, infection, blood clots, damaged nerve, lose control of facial muscles, Frey syndrome, change in appearance, and problems with the anesthesia.
If your tumor is cancerous, your doctor may recommend you to undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill cancer cells. Make sure to talk to your doctor about the best treatment option for your specific case.
Before salivary gland tumor removal, you may experience numbness in a part of your face, persistent pain, difficulty swallowing, swelling near your jaw, muscle weakness on one side of your face, and trouble opening your mouth widely. Salivary gland tumors can also spread to other organs and become life-threatening. After the removal, all of your symptoms can be relieved and the risk of the tumor spreading to other organs is reduced.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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Belgium is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in Europe and has some of Europe’s finest cuisine, including the creamiest chocolates and a wide variation of beers. In addition, it is home to extensive beaches, postcard-worthy dunes, historic cities, and beautiful countryside, with belfries, castles, and carnivals. Belgium has enjoyed a growing reputation for being excellent medical tourism as well as the country boasts immaculate clinical standards. The medical centers in the country offer a wide range of specializes treatments, short waiting time, highly-trained medical professionals, and considerably lower medical costs. Orthopedics and heart surgery are the most sought after procedures in Belgium.
Brussels is the capital of Belgium, as well as home to European Union official seats and NATO headquarters. Here, visitors can see Europe’s grandest squares, visit the beloved statue of a little boy peeing into a basin (Manneken Pis), explore Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts, and admire the magnificent Grand Palace. Bruges, a pickled Gothic city, is also worth a visit. The key attractions in the city are the 14th-century town hall, the Cathedral of the Holy Savior, and the Belfry Tower. Other popular cities include Antwerp and Ghent. While Antwerp is famous for its fashion and excellent museums, Ghent is best known for its historic quarter and stunning Van Eyck altarpiece in its colossal cathedral.
Belgium has four distinct seasons. Summer in the country is relatively short, starting in July and ending in August. The season is warm, with bearable heat and some intermittent rain. Winter comes in November and extends until March. It can get rather wet and chilly during this season, with an average temperature of around 3 - 7°C. Spring (April – June) and autumn (September – October) are generally nice and warm, with an average temperature of around 10 - 15°C.
The main international airport in Belgium is Brussels Airport. It serves flights to many major cities around the world, including Copenhagen, Doha, London, New York, Atlanta, Casablanca, and Bangkok. Since Belgium is a small country, there are no domestic flights. The public transport system in the country is extremely well-organized and reasonably priced. The best way to get around the country is by train. The trains are affordable, fast, frequent, very punctual, and have a comprehensive network of lines. Buses tend to be used in conjunction with train services, so you will likely need a train-bus combination when traveling, especially to rural areas. Inside cities, the transport systems are centered on buses, but there are also metro and trams in Brussels and Antwerp. Taxis are plentiful in all cities and ensure to hire metered official taxis, which have standard fares.
Belgium is part of the Schengen Area, so nationals of EU/EEA countries do not need a visa to visit the country regardless of their length of stay or purpose of travels. Citizens of 62 countries, including Canadian, Australian, and US nationals, can stay in the country without a visa for up to 90 days. Belgium Visa for Medical reasons is available for people who need to obtain medical care in the country.