A type of cancer that begins to develop in the tissue that is involved in tooth formation (orthodontic tissue) is called jaw cancer. Most of them are carcinomas, and the most common type is oral (mouth) cancer. Typically, the prognosis of jaw cancer depends on how soon you get treatment.
In other words, jaw cancer is a very rare form of oral cancer that may start in different parts of the mouth. These include the tongue, salivary glands, or hard or soft palate. The tumors that appear within the jawbone also occur rarely. While benign (noncancerous) tumors do not spread to other parts of the body, the malignant (cancerous) ones may break away and spread outside the mouth. That’s why early detection and prompt treatment are important.
Generally, this type of cancer accounts for about 4.5% of SCCs (squamous cell carcinomas) worldwide, and they are head and neck cancers.
Types of Jaw Cancer
This type of cancer includes different types of carcinomas, sarcomas, and carcinosarcomas. Most of them are squamous cell carcinomas and begin to develop in the tissue that covers body surfaces (including the mouth). Furthermore, they account for about 90% of all diagnosed oral cancers. Check for the most common types of jaw cancer below:
- Ameloblastic carcinoma – In this case, the tumor forms in the tissue that becomes tooth enamel. Most of the time, it affects the lower jaw near back teeth. In rare cases, it may appear when a benign tumor turns malignant.
- Clear cell odontogenic carcinoma – This type of cancer causes a tumor to develop in the lower jaw. The name of this condition comes from the form of the cancerous cells that can be seen under a microscope.
- Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma – This is an extremely rare cancer (only 50 cases ever reported) that may occur on its own when a jaw cyst calcifies and turns malignant.
- Osteosarcoma – In this case, the tumor develops in the bone cells. Most of the time, it affects long bones (such as the hip bone), but in rare cases, it may start in the jawbone.
- Primary intraosseous carcinoma – This type causes a tumor to develop in the back of the lower jaw. While the tumor may appear on its own, it may also occur in a specific type of cells that are often associated with carcinoma.
- Sclerosing odontogenic carcinoma – This is another rare type of jaw cancer, and there are only 15 cases ever reported.
What Are The Symptoms of Jaw Cancer?
Usually, this type of cancer does not cause symptoms, or they are less noticeable in the early stages. People often notice changes when the tumor grows. Check some general symptoms below:
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Difficulty opening the mouth
- Misaligned bite
- Fever
- Displaced or loose teeth
- Mouth sores that cause pain, do not heal, or bleed easily
- A lump or swelling in the jaw
- White or red patches in the mouth that do not go away
- Changes in how the face looks
If you or a loved one experiences any of the previous symptoms, immediately contact your healthcare professional. Otherwise, it may lead to unpleasant results.
Causes and Risk Factors
This type of cancer occurs, like many others, due to genetic changes (mutations). In normal circumstances, DNA holds instructions that tell cells when to grow, multiply, and die. However, mutated DNA gives cells different instructions that cause them to grow and multiply abnormally. If these abnormal cells become too numerous, they form a mass called a tumor. Healthcare providers do not fully understand what exactly causes these DNA changes, but studies are ongoing.
Furthermore, doctors have identified some factors that may increase your risk of jaw cancer. Check some examples below:
- Age – People over 55 years are more likely to develop jaw cancer.
- Sex – This type of cancer is more common in males than females.
- Tobacco use – This is one of the most significant risk factors for jaw cancer because tobacco products contain over 60 toxic chemicals that can cause carcinoma. Moreover, secondhand smoke also increases the risk.
- Alcohol use – Misuse of alcoholic beverages is also a major risk factor for jaw cancer. If you are drinking heavy amounts of alcohol along with tobacco products, the risk increases even more (about 30 times).
- HPV infection – There are some cancer-causing human papillomavirus strains (especially HPV-16).
- Betel nut chewing – These nuts also contain cancer-causing substances, but it is a cultural tradition in certain parts of Asia.
- Family history – If you have a parent or sibling with this condition, the risk of developing it significantly increases.
Diagnosis
Most of the time, diagnosis begins with a physical examination in which doctors will check for irregularities linked to the disease. After that, they may also ask some questions about your symptoms and medical history to get more clues about your condition. However, to confirm or rule out this type of cancer, physicians will perform the following tests and procedures. These include:
- Blood tests – These tests are used to check for tumor-related substances, such as tumor markers.
- X-rays
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans
- CT (computerized tomography) scans
- Biopsy – When doctors suspect jaw cancer, they may take a small sample of the affected tissue for testing. They will examine the sample under a microscope and check for cancerous cells.
Treatment
The primary treatment for people with jaw cancer is surgery. Doctors recommend it to remove the tumor around the jaw. Usually, the surgeries include:
- Mandibulectomy – During this procedure, surgeons will remove a part of the lower jawbone. There are 2 subtypes of this surgery. For example, partial mandibulectomy (the removal of a small portion only) and segmental mandibulectomy (the removal of a bigger part of the jawbone).
- Maxillectomy – In this case, surgeons will remove a part or all of the upper jawbone.
In more severe cases, people may also need dental implants and reconstructive surgery. Depending on the severity of the cancer, doctors may also recommend additional treatments to make sure there are no remaining cancerous cells. These include:
- Radiation therapy – This cancer treatment involves powerful energy beams of radiation to shrink the tumor. While this energy often comes from X-rays or protons, it may also come from other sources. When surgery is not an option, doctors may recommend it along with chemotherapy to improve the effectiveness of the treatment.
- Chemotherapy – It involves strong medicines that destroy cancerous cells throughout the body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is jaw cancer common?
No, jaw cancer is rare. Tumors that begin in the jawbone are uncommon, although cancers from nearby areas of the mouth, throat, or salivary glands can sometimes spread to the jaw.
What is the first sign of jaw cancer?
An early sign may be a painless lump or swelling in the jaw. Other possible signs include loose or displaced teeth, persistent mouth sores, jaw pain, difficulty opening the mouth, changes in the bite, or numbness. These symptoms can also occur with noncancerous conditions, so medical evaluation is important.
Can jaw cancer cause tooth problems?
Jaw tumors may cause teeth to become loose, displaced, or misaligned. They may also cause changes in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together. However, common dental conditions can cause similar symptoms.
How is jaw cancer diagnosed?
Doctors usually begin with an examination of the mouth, jaw, teeth, and surrounding tissues and ask about symptoms and medical history. Imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans, may help determine the location and size of a tumor. A biopsy is generally needed to confirm whether abnormal tissue contains cancer cells.
Can a dentist detect jaw cancer?
Yes. Dentists may notice unusual sores, lumps, swelling, loose teeth, changes in the bite, or other abnormalities during a routine oral examination. If they find something suspicious, they may refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, oncologist, or other specialist for further testing.
Is jaw cancer curable?
Jaw cancer can sometimes be cured, particularly when it is detected before it has spread to other parts of the body. The chances of successful treatment depend on factors such as the cancer type, stage, location, tumor size, and whether it has spread.
Does jaw cancer always require surgery?
Surgery is a common treatment for many jaw cancers, but the treatment plan depends on the specific type and stage of cancer. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of treatments may also be recommended in certain cases.
Can jaw cancer spread to other parts of the body?
Yes, malignant jaw tumors can invade nearby tissues and, depending on the type of cancer, may spread to lymph nodes or distant organs. The risk of spreading varies considerably between different types of jaw cancer.
Can jaw cancer come back after treatment?
Like other cancers, jaw cancer can recur after treatment. The risk depends on the type and stage of the cancer, the characteristics of the tumor, and whether cancer cells remained after treatment. Regular follow-up appointments are important for detecting recurrence as early as possible.
When should I see a doctor about possible jaw cancer symptoms?
You should seek medical or dental evaluation for a lump, swelling, unexplained numbness, persistent mouth sore, unexplained bleeding, loose teeth, difficulty swallowing, or difficulty opening your mouth, especially when these problems persist or worsen. These symptoms do not necessarily mean cancer, but prompt evaluation can help identify their cause and allow treatment to begin sooner if needed. Ask your physician if you have additional questions.
