Scientists Discover a New Organ That May Help to Treat Cancer

Scientists in the Netherlands have made a major breakthrough in the field of medical science after they “accidentally” discovered a new organ that may be important for cancer treatment. 

The discovery was made when researchers were researching prostate cancer at the Netherlands Cancer Institute using a combination of CT scans and positron emission tomography (PET) scan called the PSMA PET-CT. In the PSMA PET-CT method, doctors inject a radioactive “tracer” into the patient that binds well with PSMA which is elevated in prostate cancer cells. 

The new organ is a pair of salivary glands that are about 1.5 inches in length which is found in the nasopharynx region which is behind the nose. The glands probably moisten the upper throat, behind the nose, and mouth. 

According to Radiation Oncologist Wouter Vogel, there are only three known salivary glands in humans. One under the tongue, one under the jaw, and one at the back of the jaw. “Beyond those, perhaps a thousand microscopic salivary glands are scattered throughout the mucosal tissue of the throat and mouth,” Wouter Vogel said in a statement.

Vogel said that the discovery of these glands is crucial in the treatment of cancer as during radiation in the neck and head area, doctors avoid radiating the salivary glands. Patients can have trouble eating, swallowing, speaking, and other side effects if they are affected. 

“Our next step is to find out how we can best spare these new glands and in which patients. If we can do this, patients may experience lesser side effects, which will benefit their overall quality of life after treatment,” Vogel said.

To sum up, the new discovery may result in lesser side effects in patients who have tumors in the head and neck areas as doctors would bypass this region during radiation. It would lead to lesser side effects and a better quality of life for cancer patients.