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Scientists studying prostate cancer have discovered a new organ in the human neck.
Until now, it was thought that the nasopharyngeal region, behind the nose, was home to only a series of microscopic salivary glands, but researchers have now found a new set of glands, about 3.9 centimeters long. Due to its location, in a piece of cartilage called torus tubariusThese new glands have been called tubal salivary glands, according to Live Science.
This new organ most likely lubricates the part of the neck behind the nose and mouth, the researchers wrote in the journal. Radiotherapy and Oncology.
The discovery was made by chance. Researchers at the Netherlands Cancer Institute used a combination of positron emission tomography and tomography (PET), called PSMA PET-CT, to study prostate cancer. In the PSMA PET-CT scan, doctors inject a radioactive “tracer” into the patient. This marker indicates the PSMA protein, which is grown in prostate cancer cells. Clinical studies have found that PSMA PET-CT scanning is better than conventional imaging for detecting metastatic prostate cancer.
However, the PSMA PET-CT scan is also effective in detecting salivary gland tissue, which is also rich in PSMA. Until now, three large salivary glands have been known in humans: one under the tongue, one under the jaw, and one behind the jaw, respectively, the cheek. “Furthermore, there may be a thousand microscopic salivary glands scattered throughout the throat and mouth. “says study co-author and Dutch oncologist Wouter Vogel in a statement.
“Imagine our surprise when we made the discovery”Vogel said.
To confirm the discovery, Vogel and his colleagues scanned 100 patients and found that they all had glands that were not known until now.
The discovery could be important for the treatment of cancer. Doctors who use radiation to the head and neck to treat cancer are trying to avoid irradiating the salivary glands, Vogel said, because their deterioration can have an impact on quality of life.
“Patients may have trouble eating, swallowing or speaking, which can be a real burden“, he said.
However, because no one knew about the salivary glands of the tubes, the area was not avoided in the event of radiation. The researchers examined the files of more than 700 cancer patients treated at the University Medical Center in Groningen and found that the more radiation they received in the area of unknown glands, the more side effects the treatment had. Therefore, the new finding could translate into fewer side effects for cancer patients.
“Our next step is to find out how we can better protect these new glands, so that patients have an unaltered quality of life after treatment.”Vogel added.
Publisher: DC
