Odontogenic Tumors & Their Types
Odontogenic tumors refer to any abnormal growth around the jaw and teeth. Most of the time they are benign, but in some cases they are malignant and hence, are likely to spread. There are three types of odontogenic tumors: Epithelial, Mesenchymal, and Mixed. Epithelial are those made up of abnormal cells found in the lining of mouth and jaw tissues. They grow slowly but persistently. Mesenchymal tumors on the one hand, are slow-growing tumors that are soft and pulpy in nature. They are difficult to remove and usually infiltrate the bone. Lastly, Mixed tumors are those that consist of several types of cells. They are prone to recurrence and can transform to being fast-growing and invasive.
Symptoms
There is no consensus about what can cause an individual to have odontogenic tumors. However, there is an agreement as to what can signal their presence in the body. Below are the symptoms that can help you determine whether or not you have odontogenic tumors. Please be reminded that although these factors can help you gauge your health status, professional diagnosis done by a medical professional should ultimately be the determining factor to consider.
Loose teeth - a jawbone tumor can push your teeth out of place, causing this symptom.
Lumps on the jaw - lumps can indicate an infection or a benign growth. If they do not resolve within 2 weeks, it is necessary to contact your dentist or physician for a diagnosis.
Jaw pain - it is recognized that this symptom is commonly associated with temporomandibular joint disorder. Hence, a medical diagnosis is extremely necessary to rule out the possibility of a tumor. On odontogenic tumor patients, jaw pain is caused by aggressive tumors that spread to surrounding jaw bones and tissues.
Jaw swelling - swelling can occur in the area on the side of the face; depending on the tumor’s location, it can also occur on the roof of the mouth or beneath the teeth.
Treatment
These three treatments are available to treat odontogenic tumors. Your physician shall recommend the most suited one for your specific condition.
Surgery - surgical removal is the most common option to get rid of the tumor. For those with benign cases, this may be the only available option.
Radiation Therapy - this treatment is designed to kill abnormal cells and shrink the growth of tumors by the use of high-energy rays.
Chemotherapy - this treatment is prescribed for those who have advanced or aggressive tumor growth. In chemotherapy, a drug is introduced to the body to kill or slow down the growth of abnormal cells. While this can be an effective treatment, agents introduced into the body do not completely differentiate normal cells from abnormal ones. Hence, those who undergo this therapy are prone to experiencing adverse side effects during their treatment.
To make sure you get a specialized treatment plan, tests will most likely be prescribed by your doctor. They can include CT scans, MRIs, biopsies, and X-rays. If you want to be certain about your health status, schedule a visit with your PAPRAS surgeon today. You can find them easily through our surgeon locator.