Jaw Cancer

Jaw cancer is a rare type of head and neck cancer. It often occurs when an oral cavity cancer spreads to the jawbone. Most jaw cancers are benign, meaning they don’t spread to other areas of the body.

Oral cancer is a deceptively common type of cancer. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), nearly 42,000 Americans are diagnosed with either oral or throat cancer each year. Because the condition can develop anywhere inside your mouth, it can manifest in the jaw as well. A less common type of mouth cancer includes sarcoma which grows from abnormalities in bone, cartilage, muscle or other tissue

Jaw cancer can occur either on the upper jaw, known as the maxilla; or the lower jaw, known as the mandible. If any of the following jaw cancer symptoms are experienced, be sure to seek a dental evaluation.

Jaw cancer is usually the result of cancer caused by tobacco use. Heavy alcohol consumption also increases the risk of getting jaw cancer.

Jaw Cancer, also known as jaw neoplasms, is related to maxillary cancer and mandibular cancer. An important gene associated with Jaw Cancer is AGFG2 (ArfGAP With FG Repeats 2).

Jaw pain

• A tumor is one explanation for pain in the jawbone, and this pain can make it hard to eat and chew. Jaw pain can develop for multiple reasons related to oral cancer, but it is one of the main symptoms associated with metastatic growths in the oral cavity, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Metastatic tumors develop when cancer from one part of the body spreads to another, such as the maxilla or mandible

Lumps on the jaw

• Lumps on the roof of your mouth or along your gum line may be the only jaw cancer symptoms you experience. These lumps can be a sign that cancer is developing on the jawbone beneath the mouth's soft tissues. If a new lump develops inside the mouth and it doesn't resolve itself in two weeks, get a dental evaluation, advises the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Swelling of the jaw

• Swelling in the jaw is the most common symptom of osteosarcoma, which the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology highlights as a type of bone tumor that can affect the jaw. This swelling may be visible on the side of the face, but it can also occur inside the mouth. The roof of the mouth may be swollen as well, or a swelling beneath the teeth – depending on the location of the tumor. This inflammation is caused by the growth of the tumor inside the bone, and if it leads to gum irritation, the dentist may recommend using a toothbrush with extra-soft bristles such as the Colgate® 360°® Enamel Health™.

Tooth mobility

• Tumors in the jawbone can also lead to unexplained tooth mobility, according to the Merck Manual. If you notice that your teeth are loose or suddenly shifting positions, don't hesitate to let your dentist know. Tooth mobility could be caused by a tumor on the jawbone that is pushing the teeth out of place.

Pain, swelling, lumps on the jaw and loose teeth are all realistic jaw cancer symptoms. If you experience any of them, make sure to see your dentist right away for a screening to catch this treatable condition before it metastasizes.

Resources & Additional reading:

• Colgate – Four Jaw Cancer Symptoms To Be Aware of. By: Jennifer Mitchell
• Goshen Health – Complete care for jaw cancer
• MalaCards – Jaw Cancer (Image)

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