Researchers at the Netherlands Cancer Institute have identified a previously unrecognized set of salivary glands deep inside the head, now termed the tubarial glands. The finding, reported in Radiotherapy and Oncology, opens a new chapter in the understanding of how saliva-producing tissue can influence health and treatment outcomes in cancer care.
In pursuit of better answers about head and neck cancers, clinicians often rely on scans that use radioactive glucose to map areas of abnormal activity. When reviewing scans from 100 patients, the team repeatedly noticed activity in two specific regions of the head that had not been clearly understood before. This recurring signal prompted a closer look at what structures might be contributing to the observed uptake patterns.
Through meticulous anatomical study, the researchers uncovered a pair of glands located behind the nasopharynx, the upper part of the throat area at the back of the nasal passages. They named these structures tubarial glands, recognizing them as a distinct salivary gland system that had not previously been described in humans at this depth of detail.
Prior to this discovery, medical texts described three major salivary glands and suggested that glands in the nasopharyngeal region were either microscopic or sparsely distributed along the mucosa. The discovery of the tubarial glands challenges that assumption, indicating a coordinated glandular network that contributes to mucosal lubrication and potentially to local immune defense in a region critical for swallowing and nasal function.
The practical implication for cancer treatment is noteworthy. If these glands participate in saliva production or mucosal healing, they may need to be protected during radiation therapy to the head and neck. Radiation planning might now account for the tubarial region to reduce the risk of complications such as dryness, irritation, or difficulties with healing after treatment, while preserving tumor control. This shift emphasizes a broader goal in oncology: tailor treatment to conserve normal tissue function without compromising the effectiveness against cancer. The study therefore adds a new layer to the collaboration between imaging, anatomy, and therapeutic strategy, underscoring the importance of continually refining our map of critical structures in the head and neck region to support patient well‑being after therapy.