Parotid Tumours: A Lump Near the Ear Explained Simply
Have you noticed a slow-growing lump in front of or below your ear, or near the angle of your jaw? This may be a parotid tumour — a swelling of the largest salivary gland. The good news is that most parotid tumours are not cancer. But because this gland sits right over the nerve that moves your face, every lump here deserves proper attention. This guide explains, in simple language, what a parotid tumour is, the warning signs to watch for, the tests involved, and how it is treated.
What Is the Parotid Gland?
The parotid glands are the largest of your salivary glands. You have one on each side of the face, sitting just in front of and below the ear, over the angle of the jaw. Their job is to make saliva (spit), which helps you chew, swallow and digest food. An important nerve — the facial nerve, which moves the muscles of your face — passes right through the middle of this gland. This is why surgery in this area must be done carefully by an experienced surgeon.
What Is a Parotid Tumour?
A parotid tumour is an abnormal growth or lump inside the gland. It usually shows up as a painless, slowly growing swelling near the ear or jaw. Most of these lumps are benign (not cancer), but a smaller number can be cancerous — which is why they should always be checked rather than ignored.
Common Types
- Pleomorphic adenoma — the most common parotid tumour; benign, slow-growing, usually in adults. It is harmless but is always removed properly, because if left it can slowly enlarge and, rarely, turn cancerous over many years.
- Warthin’s tumour — another benign type, more common in older men and in smokers; can sometimes occur on both sides.
- Malignant (cancerous) tumours — less common. These may grow faster, feel hard, or affect the facial nerve.
What Are the Symptoms?
Most parotid tumours cause few symptoms other than the lump itself. Typically you may notice:
- A painless lump in front of or below the ear, or at the angle of the jaw
- A swelling that grows slowly over months or years
- A lump that is usually smooth and moves slightly under the skin
- Occasionally, fullness or mild discomfort in the area
Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore
While most lumps are harmless, please see a doctor promptly if you notice any of these signs, which can suggest a more serious tumour:
- A lump that is growing quickly
- Pain in the lump or the surrounding area
- Weakness or drooping of the face on that side (trouble closing the eye, a crooked smile)
- A lump that feels hard or fixed and does not move
- Numbness of the skin, or changes/ulcers in the overlying skin
- New lumps in the neck
Is It Cancer?
This is the first worry for most patients — and the reassuring fact is that the large majority of parotid tumours are benign (not cancer). As a rough guide, roughly 8 out of 10 are harmless. However, the only way to be sure is a proper examination and a few simple tests. The warning signs above are the reasons to get checked without delay.
What Tests Might the Doctor Do?
- Clinical examination — the surgeon feels the lump and checks the movements of your face
- Ultrasound of the gland — a painless scan that shows the size and nature of the lump
- FNAC (a fine needle test) — a very thin needle takes a tiny sample from the lump to check the cells; quick and done in the clinic
- MRI or CT scan — for larger or deeper tumours, to show the exact extent before surgery
How Is It Treated?
The main treatment for a parotid tumour is surgery to remove it. Importantly, the surgeon removes the lump together with a margin of the surrounding gland — the tumour is never simply “scooped out,” because that leads to it coming back. The usual operation is a superficial parotidectomy (removing the part of the gland that contains the lump), carefully preserving the facial nerve.
A key part of this surgery is protecting the facial nerve that runs through the gland. In experienced hands this nerve is carefully identified and saved, so the movements of your face are preserved. If the tumour is found to be cancerous, additional treatment such as removing more tissue or radiotherapy may be advised.
What About Recovery?
Most patients recover well after parotid surgery. The cut is placed in a natural crease in front of the ear so the scar is discreet. Some patients notice temporary weakness of part of the face that usually settles, and a small numb patch of skin near the ear. Your surgeon will explain what to expect in your particular case before the operation.
When Should You See a Surgeon?
Please do not wait if you notice a lump near the ear or jaw — especially if it is growing quickly, painful, hard, or if there is any weakness of the face. A simple clinic visit, an ultrasound and, if needed, a needle test can quickly tell us what is going on and give you peace of mind. Most of these lumps are harmless — and the ones that are not are far more treatable when caught early.
Book a Consultation
If you or a family member has a lump near the ear or jaw, Prof. Dr. Zahid Mahmood — General, Laparoscopic & Laser Surgeon, Lahore — can assess and treat you. To book an appointment, call or WhatsApp 0300-4130159.
This article is for general information and awareness only. It is not a substitute for a personal medical consultation. Please see a qualified doctor for advice about your own condition.