Science is Fun Fridays!

 


Oncologists in the Netherlands were using PET/CT scans with prostate-specific membrane antigen ligands to track the spread of prostate cancer.  When a patient is injected with radioactive glucose, tumors are highlighted.

But they ended up finding these glowing spots in all 100 people scanned and realized they had discovered an entirely new organ.

They had found salivary glands, specifically mucous glands with multiple draining ducts.  It was previously believed that the only mucous glands in the nasopharynx were microscopic and spread evenly throughout the mucosa.

For reference, the nasopharynx.


These new glands have been dubbed "tubarial glands," and may be the cause of certain complications following radiation treatment, such as trouble swallowing (dysphagia).

Now that medical professionals are aware of these glands, they can avoid damaging them with radiation therapy and lessen the side effects patients experience.


IFLScience

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