Astonishingly in the year 2020 researchers are still finding new organs in the human body. The human body is investigated, examined and analyzed so often that the chance of discovering a new organ tends to be zero.
The new organ was discovered when Dutch scientists identified a small group of salivary glands in the skull, in the area where the nose and throat meet. The researchers used PSMA PET / CT technology, a special type of CT scan designed to look for cancerous growths. They scanned 100 people who had been treated for prostate cancer and found the salivary glands, unknown until then.
Radiation has many uses in the treatment of cancer. With the help of equipment that uses X-rays and magnetic radiation, cancerous tumors can be detected with great accuracy. High-dose radiation therapy damages the genetic material of the cells. Radiation affects all living cells, but especially cancer cells, because cancer cells divide faster. Cancerous or healthy cells whose DNA is damaged, stop dividing or die.
The discovery of the new glands is of great importance, as during the treatment of cancer it is advisable to avoid exposing glands to radiation. Exposure of the glands causes side effects such as dry mouth, swallowing problems and speech problems. Being aware of yet another area to avoid direct radiation exposure can significantly improve the quality of life of cancer patients.
Original paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167814020308094#f0030
