Symptoms and treatment of Jaw tumors and cysts

Description

Jaw tumors and cysts are relatively rare growths or lesions that develop in the jawbone or the soft tissues in the mouth and face. Jaw tumors and cysts — sometimes referred to as odontogenic or nonodontogenic, depending on its origin can vary greatly in size and severity. These growths are usually noncancerous (benign), but can be aggressive and expand, move or destroy the surrounding bone, tissue and teeth.

Treatment options for jaw tumors and cysts vary, depending on the type of growth or lesion you have, the stage of growth, and their symptoms. The mouth, jaw and face (oral and maxillofacial), surgeons can treat your jaw tumor or cyst is usually by surgery, or in some cases, by medical therapy or a combination of surgery and medical therapy.

Symptoms

A tumor is an abnormal growth or mass of tissue. A cyst is a lesion that contains liquid or semisolid material. Examples of jaw tumors and cysts include:

• The Ameloblastoma. This is rare, usually noncancerous (benign) tumor that begins in the cells that form the protective coating of enamel on the teeth. It develops most often in the mandible, near the molars. The most common type is aggressive, the formation of tumors of large size and a growth in the bone of the jaw. Although this tumor can recur after treatment, aggressive surgical treatment tends to reduce the possibility of recurrence.
• Central giant cell granuloma. Central giant cell granulomas are benign lesions that grow from cells of bone. Occur more commonly in the front portion of the lower jaw. A type of these tumors can grow rapidly, causing pain and destroy the bone, and has a tendency to recur after surgical treatment. The other type is less aggressive, and may not have any symptoms. In rare cases, a tumor may reduce or solve on its own, but in general, these tumors require surgical treatment.
• Dentigerous cyst. This cyst originates in the tissue surrounding the tooth before it explodes in her mouth. This is the most common form of cyst that affects the jaws. Most often, these cysts occur around the wisdom teeth that are not fully erupted, but they can also involve other teeth.
• Odontogenic keratocyst. This cyst is also known as a keratocystic odontogenic tumour due to its tumor tendency to recur after surgical treatment. Although this cyst is usually of slow growth, it can be destructive to the jaw and the teeth if left untreated for a long period of time. Most often the cyst develops in the lower part of the jaw near the third molars. These cysts can also be found in people with a hereditary disorder called nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome.
• Myxoma-odontogenic cyst. This is a rare, slow-growing, benign tumor that occurs most frequently in the lower jaw. The tumor can be large and aggressively invade the jaw and surrounding tissues and displacement of the teeth. Myxomas odontogenic are known to recur after surgical treatment; however, the chances of tumor recurrence are typically decreases by more aggressive forms of surgical treatment.
• Odontoma. This benign tumor is the most common odontogenic tumour. Odontomas often have no symptoms, but may interfere with the development of the teeth or of the rash. Odontomas are composed of dental tissue that grows around a tooth in the jaw. May resemble a stranger in the form of a tooth or it can be a small or large calcified tumor. These tumors can be part of some genetic syndromes.
• Other types of cysts and tumors. These include odontogenic adenomatoid tumor, calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor, odontogenic cyst glandular odontogenic cyst squamous tumor, odontogenic cyst calcifying, cementoblastoma, aneurysmal bone cyst, ossifying fibroma, osteoblastoma. central fibroma odontogenic and others.

When to see a doctor

If you are concerned that you may have symptoms of a jaw tumor or a cyst, talk to your primary care provider or dentist.

Many times, the jaw, cysts and tumors have no symptoms and are typically discovered on routine screening of X-ray performed for other reasons. If you are diagnosed with or is suspected of having a jaw tumor or a cyst, your primary care provider may refer you to a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.

Causes

Odontogenic jaw tumors and cysts originate from cells and tissues that are involved in the normal development of the teeth. Other tumors that affect the jaw can be nonodontogenic, which means that it can develop from other tissues within the jaws that are not related to the teeth, such as the bone or the soft tissue of the cells. Usually, the cause of the jaw tumors and cysts is not known; however, some are associated with changes in genes (mutations) or genetic syndromes.

Persons with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, also called Gorlin-Goltz syndrome, lack a gene that suppresses tumors. The genetic mutation that causes the syndrome is inherited. This syndrome results in the development of multiple odontogenic keratocysts within the jaws, multiple basal cell skin cancer, and other features.

Diagnosis

For more information about your jaw tumor or a cyst, your doctor may recommend testing prior to treatment. These tests may include:

• Imaging studies, such as X-rays, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging
• A biopsy to remove a sample of tumor or cyst of cells for laboratory analysis

Your health care provider uses this information to put together a treatment plan that is best for you and the most effective option for the treatment of their tumor or a cyst.

Treatment

Treatment options for jaw tumors and cysts vary, depending on the type of injury you have, the injury of the growth stage and their symptoms. Your treatment team, it is also considered that the aims of their treatment and their personal preferences when making a treatment recommendation.

Treatment of jaw tumors and cysts, in general, consists in surgical care. In some cases, the treatment may be medical or therapy, or a combination of surgery and medical therapy.

During the surgery, the surgeon removes the jaw tumor or a cyst, which may include the removal of close to the teeth, tissue, and the bone of the jaws, and sent to the laboratory for analysis. A pathologist examines the tissue that is removed and the reports of a diagnosis during the procedure so that the surgeon can act on this information immediately.

Other treatments may include:

• The reconstruction of the jaw or other structures
• Medical therapy for certain types of jaw tumors and cysts
• The supportive care to help maintain your quality of life, including assistance with nutrition, speech and swallowing, and replacement of missing teeth

Long-term follow-up examinations after treatment can address any recurrence of jaw tumors and cysts. The identification of early recurrence is important for them to be treated properly.