Can the discovery of a new organ in the throat improve the cancer treatment in an advanced way?
The Netherlands Cancer Institute discovered a new organ, a bunch of Salivary glands which is deep rooted in the upper portion of the throat. It was founded through a number of CT scans and a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans commonly known to be PSMA PET-CT used for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Due to the location of the new gland above a piece of cartilage named as the torus tubarius, the newly set is entitled as Tubarial Salivary Glands. As far as the report by Livescience, this freshly set of glands probably dampens the upper throat at the back of nose and mouth.
There are about three salivary glands that humans know till date, which are found at the back of the jaw, under the jaw and the last under the tongue. However, a radiation oncologist Wouter Vogel truly noted the fact that there are numerous salivary glands scattered in our mucosal tissue of mouth and throat. Similarities have been observed in the fourth salivary gland with the minor gland as well. The presence of gland was confirmed after testing about 100 patients, as confirmed by the Radiotherapy and Oncology journal.
Researchers of the cancer institute depicts the fact that these set of salivary glands can be effective in the treatment of cancer studies. A radioactive tracer was injected in the patients. The tracer is recognised to be the effective one for adhering the protein PSMA upraised inside the prostate cells. As far as the clinical trials, PSMA PET-CT scanning is known to be the efficient conventional imaging system detecting the metastasized prostate cancer. The diffused, microscopic salivary glands are normally found behind the nose, situated in the nasopharynx region. However, studies show the evidence of a 1.5 inches (3.9 cm) of salivary glands in an average scale.
The research shows the evidence of mucosal ducts evacuating into the nasopharynx through the dissection of nasopharynx from the two cadavers. Researcher also makes a mark in the treatment of prostate cancer through this technique can eventually irradiate the salivary glands which can lead to a great impact in the quality of life. The new gland in our body can only be examined with the technique of nasal endoscopy through a narrow tube and microscopic camera and light to depict the image of sinuses and nose.
Researchers have examined the complications of radiation treatment in the patients especially in these new glands. This has however resulted in the difficulty of patients in swallowing, speaking or having trouble eating. Researchers are taking the next step to determine the best way to spare the new set of salivary glands. Their goal is to effectively lessen the side effects faced by patients suffering from cancer.
