Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I had mumps around eight years back. The infection resolved but my glands did not get back to their normal size. Rather they are present as a small hard lump. I do not have any issue with it, but I was wondering if this can pose some problems in the future. Can such lumps turn malignant?
Kindly help.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
There is absolutely nothing that you need to worry about. Can you specify which glands have an underlying hard lump? If it is the parotid gland and you feel there is an underlying hard mass below, I would recommend an ultrasound of the same to ascertain what is the cause of such long term hard lump.
Lymphomas present in a different fashion and there is nothing that you need to worry about. First, we need to get to know what is the probable reason for the persistent swelling in the gland and if require a fine needle aspiration cytology can also be done to confirm the cause out there. Please do let us know once these two investigations are done.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
The lump is there in my submandibular gland. Actually, when I was diagnosed with mumps eight years ago, my gland got swollen and grew huge (submandibular glands, there was some pain in parotid glands too but very less swelling and it went back to normal after medicine). I took medicines, and they started getting back to normal size but did not went back to normal size completely, as if they could not resolve to normal size.
Since then the lump like gland is there. At that time, I felt that it is fine. But I am bothered if this can in the future turn into malt lymphoma. Though they are not as painful as they were when I had swelling due to mumps. Also, I had some stones in the salivary gland earlier before mumps.
Kindly help.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
The most likely reason for bulky submandibular glands is due to persistent infection probably due to earlier stone formation. This blocks the outflow tract of the saliva produced in these glands and then results in sialadenitis or persistent inflammation in the substance of the salivary gland. Swelling might increase during chewing food as this is the best time when stimulation of the glands occurs to produce saliva. Avoid having anything too sour as such food items usually potentiate. Mumps basically involve these glands and is viral. Inflammation in these glands causes a generalized swelling in the face, which resolves in a weeks time or so.
It should be noted that most of the time, the swelling persists even after the course of antibiotics and there is nothing that should be done regarding it. The possibility of malt lymphoma is very unlikely in your case. Whatever the reason might be, the ultrasound of the glands (both parotid and submandibular) should be done to ascertain the probable cause. In most cases, the report comes nonspecific sialadenitis, and there is nothing that you need to do about it. Suspicion of lymphoma might arise on ultrasound, and if the need arises, definite diagnosis can be made by doing an FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology). I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
Do we need to consider it as swelling? I mean, is it possible that the shape of my glands somehow got distorted after mumps and could not retract. I mean a week after mumps they were in this shape, and now it has been eight years, and they are in the same shape. No pain and no extra swelling. They are just there as a lump and are the same size as they were when I recovered from mumps.
Kindly help.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I would not really call it swelling. As such, I would call it localized persistent inflammation of the salivary gland what we call as sialadenitis. The induration in the gland often persists in a few people and might remain that way for as long as it can be. This induration does not predispose to any sort of malignancy. However, any sudden increase in the size or pain should be evaluated appropriately by USG (ultrasound) and FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology) so that appropriate specific treatment can be initiated. I hope this helps.
Patient's Query
Thanks a lot sir for the answer. It was really helpful. Hope you have a nice day ahead . :)
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Yes, in most scenarios, the non-specific sialadenitis is non-tender/ not painful. However, in an acute infection of the same, and if there is some reason for drastic enlargement, it can cause pain. Regular USG of the gland can be done every one year as part of the guidelines to see any changes that may require appropriate addressing.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Thanks a lot doctor.So I should just let it be there if it doesn't change in size.
Kindly help.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Yes, nothing to be done for the time being.
Thank you.
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Answered byDr. Bhadragiri Vageesh Padiyar
Medically reviewed byDr. Vinodhini J.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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