Salivary gland tumor head x ray

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Simrat Sarai, M.D. [2]

Overview

X-rays of jaw and teeth may be helpful in the diagnosis of salivary gland tumor.

X-rays of jaw and teeth may be done if there is a lump or swelling near the jaw. This may be a special X-ray called an orthopantomogram (OPT or OPG) or a normal X-ray. This X-ray takes pictures right around the maxilla and mandible. It can pick up any signs of cancer or other problems in the teeth or jaw which may cause a lump in and around these bones. It is called a Panorex scan.
An x-ray of the chest may be done to see if the cancer has spread to your lungs.