Expert Parotid Tumour Consultant in London

Mr Axel Sahovaler offers specialist diagnosis and treatment for parotid tumours in London. The parotid glands are the largest salivary glands, located just in front of the ears, and can develop both benign and malignant tumours.

Mr Sahovaler is an experienced consultant head and neck surgeon, we offer expert surgical treatment with a strong focus on preserving facial nerve function and achieving optimal cosmetic outcomes.

If you have noticed a lump near your jaw or in front of your ear, specialist assessment is important to determine the cause.

What Are Parotid Tumours?

Parotid tumours are abnormal growths that develop within the parotid salivary gland. Around 75–80% of parotid tumours are benign (non-cancerous), but some can be malignant (cancerous).

Common symptoms may include:

• A painless lump in front of or below the ear
• Swelling near the jaw
• Facial weakness (rare but concerning)
• Pain in the area of the gland

Although many tumours are benign, accurate diagnosis is essential to guide appropriate treatment.

What Are the Symptoms of a Parotid Gland Tumour?

The most common symptom of a parotid tumour is a painless lump in front of or just below the ear. Some patients may notice swelling near the jawline or a gradual increase in size over time. Facial weakness is uncommon but can be a more concerning sign that requires urgent specialist evaluation. Any persistent lump in this region should be assessed to determine whether treatment is required.

How Is a Parotid Tumour Diagnosed?

Diagnosis begins with a detailed head and neck examination during your consultation. Imaging such as ultrasound or MRI is typically arranged to assess the size and depth of the tumour.

A fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy may be performed to analyse cells from the lump. These investigations allow your London consultant to determine whether the tumour is benign or malignant and to plan appropriate surgical treatment.

Mr. Axel Sahovaler

Axel has a unique combination of training and practice in North America, working in very high-volume academic head and neck surgery centers. He has since moved to London, where he has formed a team with Professor Mark McGurk, perfecting minimally invasive techniques in salivary gland surgery. His independent practice is at London Bridge Hospital and his NHS base is at University College London Hospital where his research and teaching take place.

The Surgical Process

Pre-operative Planning

Pre-operative planning for parotid tumours involves detailed imaging such as MRI and CT scans to assess the size, location and extent of the tumour. Imaging helps identify involvement of the facial nerve, nearby muscles and surrounding structures.

In some complex cases, 3D imaging and virtual surgical planning may be used to improve precision, especially if reconstruction is required. A fine needle aspiration (FNA) or core biopsy is often carried out before surgery to help confirm the diagnosis.

Your consultant will explain the type of parotidectomy planned, the risks including potential facial weakness, and what to expect during recovery.

During Surgery

During surgery, the tumour is removed through a procedure called a parotidectomy.

This may be a superficial parotidectomy, where only the outer portion of the gland is removed, or a total parotidectomy if the deeper lobe is affected. A careful incision is usually made in front of the ear and may extend into the neck crease to minimise visible scarring.

The facial nerve is identified and preserved wherever possible, as it controls facial movement.

If the tumour involves the nerve, part of the nerve may need to be removed and reconstructed. If cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, a neck dissection may also be performed.

In selected cases where a large defect remains, reconstructive techniques using local tissue, fat grafts or free flaps may be required to restore facial contour.

Recovery

After surgery, patients usually stay in hospital for one to three days for monitoring. A surgical drain may be placed temporarily to prevent fluid build-up.

Recovery focuses on wound healing, pain management and monitoring facial nerve function. Mild swelling and bruising are common in the first few weeks. Some patients experience temporary facial weakness or numbness, which often improves over time.

If there are speech, chewing or swallowing difficulties, referral to specialist therapy may be arranged. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to review healing and discuss pathology results, and further treatment such as radiotherapy may be recommended if the tumour is malignant.

For more information and enquiries

What Is the Treatment for a Parotid Tumour?

The primary treatment for most parotid tumours is surgical removal, known as a parotidectomy.

One of the main expertise of Mr Sahovaler is to remove the parotid tumors via a minimally invasive approach known as Extracapsular Dissection, which leaves most of the gland intact and has several evidence proven advantages compared with more traditional techniques. This approach is also supported by a novel approach which consists in obtaining 3D reconstruction of the parotid tumor and the facial nerve which helps to tailor a surgical approach to each patient.

How Is the Facial Nerve Protected During Parotid Surgery?

The facial nerve runs directly through the parotid gland and controls movement of the face. During parotid gland surgery, meticulous dissection techniques are used to identify and preserve this nerve. In the hands of an experienced consultant head and neck surgeon in London, the risk of permanent facial weakness is low. In rare cases where the nerve is affected by cancer, reconstructive techniques may be considered.

What Happens If the Parotid Tumour Is Cancerous?

If the tumour is confirmed to be malignant, further treatment may be required. This can include additional surgery, neck dissection, radiotherapy or multidisciplinary oncology input. Early-stage salivary gland cancers often respond very well to prompt, specialist-led treatment, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis.

Patient Experience and Testimonials

Many patients come to us with complex head and neck problems, and their feedback highlights our commitment to compassionate care and excellent outcomes. Patients consistently describe the reassurance, clear treatment explanations and personalised attention they receive throughout their surgical journey.

Parotid & Neck Cancer Surgery - Full Facial Nerve Preservation

Axel performed very complex cancer surgery on me, successfully removing a primary tumour deep in my parotid gland and many metastases in my neck. Through clever planning with Virtual Reality and his expert skills, he preserved my facial nerve. 6 months on, I have full facial function and it is nearly impossible to see the significant scars. The excellence of his surgery has preserved my quality of life and I have returned to regular sport. Most important to me has been Axel’s personal support, positivity and compassion as I have faced my cancer and its treatment. He has gone above and beyond all my expectations.

JB

London, UK

Life-Changing Support & Restored Hope

I want to express my deepest gratitude to Dr Axel for meeting me in his clinic on such a short notice. Before meeting him I was completely shattered and had lost all hope after what was communicated to me by other surgical teams. But the day I saw him in clinic, everything changed – his positivity and perspective gave me strength and renewed my faith. From the day I met him until the surgery, not a single day passed without thinking into his words of hope. I will be forever grateful to him. He gave me my life and smile back.

MB

London, UK

Oral Cancer Surgery for Our Son

Mr Sahovaler treated our son for oral cancer in 2022 and performed complex cancer and microvascular reconstructive surgery. His outstanding knowledge of his specialist area and practical surgical expertise has allowed our son to make an excellent recovery. From the outset he has shown empathy and understanding in all his contacts with our family. He took time to explain all the procedures and other relevant information in an honest and clear way so the appropriate choices were made. As medical doctors, my wife and I were apprehensive about what lay ahead but we found Mr Sahovaler’s caring and conscientious approach gave us the confidence and reassurance we needed. We cannot recommend him highly enough to patients who may need his skills, both now and in the future.

IH & KH

London, UK

Mandibular Reconstruction - Family Testimonial

Our family do not have the words to express our gratitude towards Dr Axel and his team. At a time when we were all faced with a barrage of information regarding my father’s impending complex mandibular reconstruction surgery, Dr Axel gave us the assurances we were so desperately seeking with his calm and extremely confident disposition. If you have the misfortune to find yourself diagnosed with a similar condition and requiring surgery, consider yourself very lucky to have someone like him at the helm. This man has nothing less than Hero status in our family and most likely many others!

DK

London, UK

Compassionate Care Before & After Surgery

I was Dr Axel Sahovaler’s patient from late 2022 and underwent surgery with him in April 2023. It’s difficult to put into words his professionalism, pragmatic advice, sense of humour and kindness. In our pre-op appointments Axel always listened to my concerns and answered them honestly and directly which meant I trusted his advice and guidance. Post-op his visits on the ward daily, including weekends, made me recognise that he has a genuine interest and concern for the wellbeing of his patients despite his undoubtedly busy schedule. He always made time to answer any questions I had regarding my recovery. In the early months after my discharge, Axel and his team kept in touch to monitor my progress and I felt very supported by the care he and his team provided. I feel very lucky to have had Axel as my surgeon and to have been under his care.

SS

London, UK

Surgical Oncologist – Precision, Reassurance & Excellent Outcomes

Axel Sahovaler was my Consultant Surgical Oncologist. From the moment we met on the day of my cancer diagnosis in July 2022, Mr Sahovaler was reassuring, precise and motivational in relation to my condition, as well as the prospect of my upcoming treatment. Mr Sahovaler is an excellent surgeon and I did not have any complications during or after my complex cancer surgery. During my stay in hospital, Mr Sahovaler went out of his way to listen to my concerns and provided relevant solutions. I am very grateful to have had Mr Sahovaler as my surgical oncologist during this extremely challenging part of my life and to have his expertise for my ongoing care

DH

London, UK

How Do I Book a Consultation for Parotid Tumour Treatment in London?

If you have noticed a lump near your ear or jaw, early specialist assessment provides clarity and reassurance. Booking a private consultation allows for detailed examination, imaging and personalised treatment planning.

Contact Axel Head and Neck today to arrange your consultation with an experienced London head and neck surgery consultant.

Explore Our Specialist Head and Neck Treatments in London

At Axel Head and Neck, we provide a comprehensive range of specialist head and neck treatments in London, delivered by an experienced consultant surgeon with advanced training in oncology and reconstructive surgery.

Our related treatment pages include:

Head and Neck Surgery

Comprehensive surgical treatment for head and neck cancer, neck lumps, salivary gland disorders and complex reconstructive needs. Learn more about our specialist consultant-led surgical care in London.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

A minimally invasive procedure used in early head and neck cancer staging to assess lymph node spread and guide further treatment decisions.

Reconstructive Microsurgery

Advanced free flap reconstruction for complex head and neck defects following cancer surgery or trauma, restoring function and appearance.

Mandibular Reconstruction

Specialist jaw reconstruction surgery to restore speech, chewing and facial symmetry after mandibular tumour removal or bone loss.

Oral Cavity Lesions

Expert assessment, biopsy and treatment of mouth ulcers, leukoplakia and early oral cancer by a London head and neck consultant.

Parotid Tumour Treatment

Specialist diagnosis and parotidectomy surgery for benign and malignant salivary gland tumours, with careful facial nerve preservation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are most parotid tumours benign?

Yes. The majority of parotid tumours are non-cancerous. However, proper imaging and biopsy are required to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment.

Is parotidectomy a major operation?

Parotidectomy is considered specialised head and neck surgery, but when performed by an experienced consultant, it is a safe and routine procedure with careful facial nerve monitoring.

How long is recovery after parotid gland surgery?

Most patients stay in hospital briefly and return to normal activities within a few weeks, depending on the extent of surgery.

Will I have a visible scar?

Incisions are carefully placed along natural skin creases to reduce visible scarring. Over time, scars typically fade significantly.

Can a parotid tumour come back?

Recurrence is uncommon when a benign tumour is completely removed. Malignant tumours require careful follow-up to monitor for recurrence.

Is private parotid tumour treatment available in London?

Yes. Specialist diagnosis and surgical treatment are available in leading private London hospitals under the care of a consultant head and neck surgeon.