Jaw Tumors

It’s the name of the lesions that occur in the jawbone or soft tissues of the face. Jaw tumors can differ depending on their size. They are usually benign and do not cause cancer. Aggressive ones may progress to disrupt the jaw structure.Treatment for jaw tumors varies due to the type of lesion and its growth. They can be surgically removed by an experienced surgeon.

What are the symptoms and types of Jaw Tumors?

A tumor is simply an abnormal growth of tissues. For example:

• A rare and usually benign tumor called Ameloblastoma begins in the cells of the tooth enamel. It develops in the molars in the jaw. Aggressive ones can grow and spread. There is a possibility of recurrence after treatment.
• Granuloma is also benign and occurs in bone cells. They mostly spread in the lower jaw. It has an aggressive type, which can damage the jawbone. There is a possibility of recurrence after treatment. Although there is another self-healing type, it requires a treatment generally.
• Odontogenic myxoma is a slow-growing, benign tumor that also spreads in the lower jaw in general. Aggressive ones are strong enough to dislodge the teeth around the jaw. The chance of recurrence decreases with the right treatment.
• Odontoma is the most common type of benign tumor. They often spread without showing any symptoms and affect tooth development depending on their density. They basically consist of dental tissue both. These tumors may even have the appearance of teeth in some cases. It’s known that they may have a genetic origin.

Treatment of Jaw Tumors

The tumor type and the progression of the lesion are evaluated while deciding on the treatment to be applied for jaw tumors. At this point, the patient’s thoughts on treatment are also important. Jaw tumors, which are mostly removed by surgical operation, can also be treated in some cases by using medications. After removing the jaw tumor, the surgeon sends it for examination. The pathologist examines the tumor and gives feedback, the surgeon decides what to do and which treatment to select then. Other treatment methods include: Reshaping the jawbone, medical treatment for some tumor types, and side treatments for the patient to maintain their basic needs such as speaking and eating. The patient is followed by the surgeon for a long time after the surgical procedure. It’s very important to be able to diagnose the tumor early in case of possible recurrence.