Before your operation for salivary gland cancer

Tests to check you are fit for surgery

You have tests before your operation to check:

• your fitness for a general anaesthetic

• that you'll make a good recovery from surgery

Tests might include:

• blood tests to check your general health and how well your kidneys and liver are working

• an ECG to check that your heart is healthy

• breathing tests (called lung function tests)

• an echocardiogram (a painless test of your heart using sound waves)

• a chest x-ray to check that your lungs are healthy

• a test to check your heart and lung function when you're resting and exercising (called a cardio pulmonary exercise test)

Pre assessment clinic

Your pre assessment appointment prepares you for your operation.

You meet members of your treatment team at this appointment and you can sign the consent form to agree to the operation.

Ask lots of questions. It helps to write down all your questions beforehand to take with you. The more you know about what is going to happen, the less frightening it will seem.

You can ask more questions when you go into hospital so don’t worry if you forget to ask some.

At the hospital you might meet:

The surgeon

A member of the surgical team will tell you about:

• the operation you are going to have

• the benefits of having surgery

• the possible risks

• what to expect afterwards

The anaesthetist

The anaesthetist gives you the anaesthetic and they look after you during the operation. The anaesthetic is the medicine that keeps you asleep during your operation. They make sure you’re fit enough for the surgery.

The clinical nurse specialist

Your specialist nurse is usually there to support you throughout your treatment. They can check what help and support you have, to see what you will need when you go home.

The physiotherapist

The physiotherapist assesses how well you can move around. They let the doctors know if there is anything that could affect your recovery.

The physiotherapist also teaches you leg and breathing exercises to do after your operation to help with recovery. Learning how to do the exercises beforehand makes it easier afterwards.

The dietician

The dietitian gives you help and advice about managing your diet. They might give you nutritional supplement drinks to have before surgery. And they:

• help you get as well as possible before your operation

• explain how the surgery affects your diet

• give useful tips on how to increase your nutrients and calories

Speech therapist

Sometimes having surgery to the mouth can cause problems with speech and swallowing. Your speech and language therapist plays an important role during your treatment. They will help you with your speech and any swallowing difficulties you might have. 

Restorative dentistry consultant

A restorative dentist might assess your teeth before you have surgery. They may recommend that you have some teeth removed if they are decaying or loose. They also give you advice on how to look after your mouth and teeth after treatment. You may also see a dental hygienist to help keep your mouth and teeth clean. And reduce the risk of infection.

The restorative dentist will also help your recovery. They may suggest using false teeth or a replacement part (prosthesis). They can help to make your facial appearance as normal as possible after treatment.

Learning breathing and leg exercises

Breathing exercises help to stop you from getting a chest infection after surgery. If you smoke, it helps if you can stop at least a few weeks before your operation.

Leg exercises help to stop blood clots forming in your legs. You might also have medicines to stop the blood from clotting. You have them as small injections under the skin.

You start the injections after your operation. You might also wear anti embolism stockings or have pumps on your calves to help the circulation.

Your nurse and physiotherapist will get you up out of bed quite quickly after your surgery. This is to help prevent chest infections and blood clots forming.

This 3-minute video shows you how to do the breathing and leg exercises.

Going into hospital

You usually go into hospital on the day of your operation. Or you might go in the night before. Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to stop eating and drinking before your operation.

What to take with you 

Take in:

• nightgowns or pyjamas

• underwear

• dressing gown

• slippers

• contact lenses, solution, glasses and a case

• wash bag with soap, a flannel or sponge, toothbrush and toothpaste etc

• sanitary wear or tampons

• towel

• small amount of money

• medicines you normally take

• magazines, books, playing cards

• headphones and music to listen to

• a tablet or smartphone for web browsing, entertainment and phone calls

• chargers for electronic devices

• a copy of your last clinic letter (if you have one)

Family and friends

Before you go into hospital, it might be worth checking:

• whether the ward is allowing visitors

• if they have set visiting times

• the best number for friends and family to phone, to find out how you are

The letter you receive before your operation may contain this information. But if not, you can phone the ward or hospital reception to find out.

You can use your mobile phone in hospital. But there may be some time before and after your operation when you won’t have your mobile nearby. And you may not feel like talking.

Before you go into hospital 

It’s worth sorting out a few things before you go into hospital. These might include:

• taking time off work

• care for children or other loved ones

• care for your pets

• care for your house

• cancelling your milk, newspapers or food deliveries

Smoking

Your doctor will encourage you to stop smoking before the operation. Giving up smoking can be very difficult, especially if you have smoked for a long time. But it will help you recover from treatment faster and help to prevent further cancers.

Stopping smoking also helps to lower the risk of a chest infection and wound infection after surgery. 

How to stop smoking