These surgeries include:. Most patients undergoing stage 3 and stage 4 cancers will also have a temporary tracheotomy a tube inserted into the windpipe via a small incision in the neck to facilitate breathing while they recover.
Depending on the location and extent of the original surgery, further reconstructive surgeries may be needed. These may include bone, muscle, or skin grafts, or flap procedures. Radiation therapy , which uses high-energy X-rays or particles to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth, may be necessary in treating jaw cancer. The most common use of radiation for the treatment of jaw cancer is called adjuvant radiation, which is radiation given after surgery in order to decrease the chances that the tumor will come back.
Chemotherapy, medicine used to kill cancer, is not a common treatment for jaw cancer. In some cases, it is used in combination with radiation as an additional treatment following surgery. Chemotherapy is usually only added to adjuvant radiation therapy if cancer has grown outside of the lymph nodes or if there is cancer left behind during surgery. The earlier jaw cancer is caught, the better chance a person has of surviving five years after being diagnosed.
It is rare for cancer to start in the jaw. However, if you are experiencing swelling, pain, difficulty opening your mouth, and numbness in your lower mouth, speak to your dentist.
The earlier this type of cancer is caught, the more effective treatment will be. The greatest preventable risk factor for oral cancers including jaw cancer is tobacco. Speak to your healthcare provider about smoking cessation programs if you are looking to quit smoking and using smokeless tobacco products. Many of the symptoms of jaw cancer can be caused by noncancerous conditions, but they should still be checked out by your dentist, especially if you are a smoker or drink a moderate-to-heavy amount of alcohol.
Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Mandibular intraosseous squamous cell carcinoma lesion associated with odontogenic keratocyst: a case report.
Unusual presentation of primary squamous cell carcinoma of mandible. Case Reports in Pathology. American Cancer Society. Revised March 23, Because oral cancer can develop anywhere inside your mouth, it can manifest in your jaw as well.
Compared to other cancers, oral cancer is less common—according to the American Cancer Society , about 54, will be diagnosed with oral cancer in Oral cancer also affects men twice as often as women, and the average age of diagnosis is According to the Merck Manual , jaw cancer can occur either on the upper jaw, known as the maxilla, or the lower jaw, known as the mandible.
If you experience any of the following jaw cancer symptoms, be sure to seek an evaluation by your dental professional. A primary symptom of cancer in the jaw is swelling in the face, palate, or area of your jaw that supports your teeth. This swelling may be visible on the side of your face, but it can also occur inside your mouth. You may notice swelling in the roof of your mouth or beneath your teeth, depending on the location of the tumor.
The growth of a tumor inside the bone may be the cause of this inflammation—and should be brought up with a dental professional as soon as possible. Jaw pain caused by a tumor is one symptom of cancer in the jaw. Keep in mind this pain could also be due to TMJ disorder as opposed to cancer symptoms. Lumps on the roof of your mouth or along your gumline may be the only jaw cancer symptoms you experience. While a lump could be an infection or benign growth, these lumps could also be a sign that cancer is developing on the jawbone beneath the mouth's soft tissues.
The next section in this guide is Stages and Grades. It explains the system doctors use to describe the extent of the cancer. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide. How oral or oropharyngeal cancer is diagnosed There are many tests used for diagnosing oral or oropharyngeal cancer. Your doctor may consider these factors when choosing a diagnostic test: The type of cancer suspected Your signs and symptoms Your age and general health The results of earlier medical tests The following tests may be used to diagnose oral or oropharyngeal cancer: Physical examination.
Types of Cancer. Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer Guide. Net Guide Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer. Medical Illustrations. Risk Factors and Prevention. Symptoms and Signs. Stages and Grades. Types of Treatment. About Clinical Trials.
Latest Research. Coping with Treatment. Follow-Up Care. Questions to Ask the Health Care Team. Additional Resources. View All Pages. A barium swallow can be used to see the lining of the upper part of the digestive system, especially the esophagus the tube that connects the throat to the stomach.
In this test, you drink a chalky liquid called barium which coats the walls of your throat and esophagus. A series of x-rays is taken as you swallow. Your doctor may order this test because people with oral and oropharyngeal cancers are at risk for cancer of the esophagus.
It's also useful to see if the cancer is causing problems with swallowing. An ultrasound uses sound waves and their echoes to create images of the inside of the body. A small microphone-like instrument called a transducer gives off sound waves and picks up the echoes as they bounce off organs. The echoes are converted by a computer into an image on a screen. Neck ultrasound : For this exam, a technician moves the transducer along the skin over your neck.
This type of ultrasound can be used to look for lymph nodes in the neck to see if they are swollen or if they look abnormal inside which could be signs of cancer.
The ultrasound can help guide a needle into the abnormal lymph node for an FNA biopsy. It might also be used after treatment to look for signs of cancer coming back recurrence.
It is very important to quit smoking before any treatment for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer. If you used to smoke cigarettes before being diagnosed, it is important to not start during treatment. Smoking during treatment can cause:. Other tests might be done as part of a work-up if a patient has been diagnosed with oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer.
These tests are not used to diagnose the cancer, but they may be done for other reasons, such as to see if a person is healthy enough for treatments such as surgery , radiation therapy , or chemotherapy.
No blood test can diagnose cancer in the oral cavity or oropharynx. Still, your doctor may order routine blood tests to get an idea of your overall health, especially before treatment. Such tests can help diagnose poor nutrition and low blood cell counts. A complete blood count CBC looks at whether your blood has normal amounts of different types of blood cells.
For example, it can show if you are anemic have a low number of red blood cells. Blood chemistry tests can help determine how well your liver or kidneys are working. If surgery is planned, you might also have an electrocardiogram EKG to make sure your heart is working well. Some people having surgery also may need breathing tests, called pulmonary lung function tests.
If radiation therapy will be part of the treatment, you'll be asked to see a dentist before starting. The dentist will help with routine dental care and may remove any bad teeth, if needed, before radiation treatment is started.
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