I am searching the internet and cannot seem to find the answer that I am looking for. Are the submandibular saliva glands on either side of the neck connected at all? I am asking because my Father had a ct scan on the same side of the neck that the cancer was located on and we will get the results of that this Friday along with a needle biopsy. He was a another appointment this morning and mentioned that he was having a biopsy on a lump to this dr (who is a general surgeon) and when he felt the neck area he mentioned that not only is the one side enlarged he also feels that the other side is as well. We were feeling pretty certain that it was in fact a saliva gland as periodically he would feel what could only be explained as a surge and then the swelling would go down somewhat. THe head and neck dr did tell him that he had severed this gland when doing the original surgery in March of last year and it would take a while to "re-route" the saliva so to speak. Now we are again concerned that there is a lump on the other side not even 3 weeks after he saw the specialist (who never noticed anything in the first place on the other side--the ct and biopsy are on the lump on the same side as the original cancer). Can someone please help me to understand whether these two glands are connected to one another. I know that my Father felt that the swelling went down through the night so I thought that maybe when the swelling goes down on one side it may cause the other to swell.
Thanks,
Paula

Hello Paula

The saliva glands on each side are separate. But a saliva gland might swell up in response to having to work harder at producing saliva. Do ask your surgeon. Let me know what he says.

Best wishes
Vinod

Thanks again for always answering my email

My Father just came back from meeting with his doctor and the ct scan results proved that it was a saliva gland and it was in fact swollen because of the previous surgery. The doctor does not feel that it is necessary for him to do a biopsy at this point. He will see him in 2 months for another follow-up. Thank you so much.

Paula

Hi Paula

its Robert E here

read your story and its very similar to the problems I am having with my saliva gland. Check out some of my posts on it.Great news on your dad .