Tough lump in the subauricular area

Introduction The mass in the ear area is the clinical manifestation of the mixed tumor. A mixed tumor of the parotid gland, or a polymorphic adenoma, is a parotid tumor containing parotid tissue, mucus, and cartilage-like tissue, so it is called a "mixed tumor." Mucus and cartilage-like tissue are metamorphosed by glandular tissue. The outer layer of the tumor is a very thin envelope that is formed by deformation of the parotid gland after compression and is not a true envelope. Although the mixed tumor of the parotid gland is benign, it has potential malignant biological behaviors, such as tumor cell infiltration. Therefore, the mixed tumor of the parotid gland is regarded as a "critical tumor" in clinical practice, that is, a tumor between benign and malignant. About 5% to 10% can cause malignant transformation.

Cause

A parotid mixed tumor is a parotid tumor containing parotid tissue, mucus, and cartilage-like tissue. The specific cause is unknown.

A mixed tumor of the parotid gland, or a polymorphic adenoma, is a parotid tumor containing parotid tissue, mucus, and cartilage-like tissue, so it is called a "mixed tumor." Mucus and cartilage-like tissue are metamorphosed by glandular tissue. The outer layer of the tumor is a very thin envelope that is formed by deformation of the parotid gland after compression and is not a true envelope. Although the mixed tumor of the parotid gland is benign, it has potential malignant biological behaviors, such as tumor cell infiltration. Therefore, the mixed tumor of the parotid gland is regarded as a "critical tumor" in clinical practice, that is, a tumor between benign and malignant. About 5% to 10% can cause malignant transformation.

an examination

Related inspection

General examination of ear examination ears

Parotid mixed tumors are more common in young adults. The tumor is located below the earlobe and, when larger, extends to the neck. The tumor is hard nodular, and sometimes some of them have cystic changes with soft nodules. The tumor is non-adhesive to the skin or basal tissue and can be pushed; it grows slowly and does not change for years or decades. In the case of malignant transformation, the tumor often suddenly grows rapidly and adheres to the surrounding tissue to fix it. Parotid mixed tumors are more common in middle age. Generally, there are no obvious symptoms, and the growth is slow, and the course of disease can last for several years or even decades. The tumor is characterized by a tough mass in the subarachnoid region, with a nodular surface, clear boundary, medium hardness, no adhesion to surrounding tissues, mobility, and no tenderness. If one of the following conditions occurs in the tumor, the possibility of malignant transformation should be considered. 1 sudden growth of tumors rapidly accelerated, 2 mobility decreased or even fixed, 3 pain or ipsilateral paralysis.

Differential diagnosis

To distinguish from auricular pseudocysts. Auricular pseudocyst (known as auricular serous perichondritis) is an unexplained localized cyst of the abdomen of the auricle. Because it has no epithelial layer on the wall, it is called a pseudocyst.

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