Jaw Tumor Symptoms

Jawbones when being the target of cancerous cells, lead up to what is known as primary jaw cancer, with the most common one being squamous cell carcinomas that take root from the mucous membrane within the mouth that surrounds the jaw area. The jaw area as one should very well know, are the upper and lower protrusions that support the gums and teeth. It connects itself to the skull where it further attaches itself to its base. Jaw cancer can spread to other parts of the body, if it is malignant in nature.

There are two kinds of jaw tumors that can occur, namely odontogenic, which is a tumor that develops from the tissue that surrounds the teeth area, and non-odontogenic, are those that stem from elsewhere like fibrosarcoma, giant cell lesions, osteosarcoma and fibro-osseous lesions which can be either malignant or benign (not the kind to progress and cause damage) in nature. Oral cancer is a common occurrence among people, especially those who are into the habit of smoking and chewing tobacco.

Many jaw tumors can be removed surgically from the jaw cavity, by extracting teeth first to enter the gum area to where the tumor resides. These can be replaced later by dental procedures after the surgery has been performed. A series of tests is carried out first to help determine whether patients suffer from jaw cancer, with many coming to doctors upon detecting tumor in jaw symptoms. We delve deeper into this cancerous case, and look further into how this can progress into something far more damaging.

Jaw Tumor Causes

One's bad habits are usually the reasons as to what causes cancers that generally take form due to some sort of lifestyle routine. Smoking and tobacco chewing, like mentioned earlier, are the main two causes for concern when it comes to oral cancer. Even alcohol has been known to lead up to jaw cancer and other forms of oral cancer. A diet that involves a lack of vegetables and fruits can lead to this illness. Chronic irritation, immune system suppressant, mouthwashes with alcohol in them, and way too much sunlight due to the extended time where one is exposed to the radiation, can lead up to this form of cancer.

Signs of Jaw Cancer

The symptoms can be confused for other medical conditions, that is why it is important to have these first diagnosed by a doctor, who can decipher these signs before making any concluding comments. I remember when my jaw area swelled up, it was as if something hit me in the face and left a swollen bulge as a result. It was painful to eat on that side and I pretty much looked like a football. Later when I went to get it checked out, the doctor told me that something had lodged itself where my wisdom tooth was at, causing an infection and thus a swelling as a subsequent reaction. So before making any assumptions and panicking before you know exactly what is happening with your body, consult a doctor first. The jaw bones tends to grow in an awkward protruding bump, which doctors will examine. The tissues are taken in for evaluation to test whether they contain cancerous cells. X-rays will prove whether it is a tumor formation or not. The skin around the jaw area tends to get a little itchy, especially during nap time. Another symptom to look out for is swelling of the jaw, leading up to intense pain around the area, that becomes at some point, unbearable to take. Other symptoms that patients can experience are.

• Erythroplasia (formation of red patches)
• Jaw is tender to the touch
• Sore throat
• Teeth are a little loose upon examination
• Sores that do not heal easily, and often bleed
• Leukoplakia (formation of white patches)
• Difficulty chewing/swallowing

Jaw Tumor Treatment Options

There are three options that patients usually have when it comes to jaw cancer, one mainly being surgery and the other two common methods of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Radiation Therapy
There are two ways to target and destroy cancer cells in this method, one is by placing radioactive material within the person, that only destroys malignant cells. The other is where high energy rays are aimed at the cancerous cells, to destruct and stop from further spreading and progressing.

Surgical Procedure
The tumor here is extracted completely to avoid it from doing any harm whatsoever in the future. This option is available for patients who have tumors that are stationary, and haven't spread to other organs or parts of the system (benign). This is done during the early stages of the cancer, which is a much better option seeing that it can rid the tumor in its entirety before it gets out of control.

Chemotherapy
There are certain medications that are given to patients intravenously to help destroy cancer cells that have spread within the body. It helps patients deal with pain caused in the jaw area due to the cancer, but chances of this recurring are high. Therefore, it is important to come back and seek diagnosis again by a doctor if the symptoms recur.

The jaw tumor symptoms are those that can take form at any one time, that is why it is important to constantly keep an eye out for any changes that your jaw may experience, or unexplained pain or swelling. Also, a family check up on your medical history would do you much better, since cancer is hereditary in nature.