Jaw cancer

Overview

Jaw cancer is a general term for cancer that affects the upper or lower jaw. It isn't one specific type of cancer. Some cancers start in the jawbone or in tissues in or around the jaw, including tissues involved in forming the teeth.

Cancers also can start nearby, such as in the gums, tongue or lining of the mouth, and grow into the jaw. Jaw cancer may spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

The exact type of cancer is important. Different cancers that affect the jaw can grow, spread and respond to treatment in different ways. Your care team will determine the type of cancer, where it started and how far it has spread when planning treatment.

Not all jaw tumors and cysts are cancer. Many are benign, which means they are not cancer. Even so, some can grow into or push against nearby bone, tissue or teeth and cause damage. Treatment may still be needed.

Types

Types of cancer that can affect the jaw include:

• Squamous cell carcinoma involving the jaw. This cancer usually doesn't start in the jawbone. It often starts in another part of the mouth such as the gums, tongue or floor of the mouth. It can then grow into the upper or lower jaw. Rarely, squamous cell carcinoma can begin directly within the bone.

• Jaw sarcoma. Jaw sarcomas are rare cancers that start in the bone, muscle, cartilage or other supporting tissues. The most common type of jaw sarcoma is osteosarcoma. This is a cancer that forms in bone.

  Other rare sarcomas also can affect the jaw. These include chondrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and synovial sarcoma. Sarcomas of the jaw are rare.

• Malignant odontogenic tumors. These very rare cancers start in tissues involved in forming the teeth. Most odontogenic tumors aren't cancer. Cancerous forms are sometimes called odontogenic carcinomas.

Sometimes a cyst develops in tissues involved in forming teeth. A cyst is a sac that contains fluid or soft material. Rarely, these cysts may develop into tumors. In very rare situations they can lead to jaw cancers.

Symptoms

Because several different cancers can affect the jaw, there isn't one set of jaw cancer symptoms. Symptoms depend on where the cancer starts, what type it is and how it affects nearby tissues.

Symptoms can vary depending on the type of cancer and where it starts. Possible symptoms include:

• A sore in the mouth that doesn't heal.
• A lump or thickening in the mouth or gums.
• Pain in the jaw or mouth.
• Numbness in the mouth.
• Numbness or tingling in the jaw or face.
• Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit well.
• Trouble chewing, swallowing or moving the jaw.

Other symptoms include:

• Swelling or a growing lump in the jaw.
• Swelling in front of the ear.
• Ear pain.
• Pain when swallowing.
• Difficulty opening the mouth.

Some types of jaw cancer cause certain symptoms more often than do others.

The symptoms listed can have many causes besides cancer. Having one or many of these symptoms doesn't mean you have cancer. But it is important to see a healthcare professional to help find the cause of these symptoms.

Some noncancerous jaw tumors also can cause similar symptoms. For example, some may cause swelling or pain and grow into surrounding tissue.

Many noncancerous jaw tumors don't cause any symptoms. They may be found on X-rays or other scans during a routine dental visit.

When to seek care

Make an appointment with a healthcare professional or dentist if these symptoms don't go away:

• Jaw swelling.
• Ongoing jaw pain.
• Numbness in your mouth, tongue, cheek, lips or chin.
• A sore in your mouth.

These symptoms can have many causes. Having one doesn't mean you have cancer. An exam and testing can help to find the cause.

Causes

There isn't one cause of jaw cancer because several different cancers can affect the jaw. What causes or raises the risk of one type may not apply to another.

• Jaw sarcoma. Experts don't know exactly what causes most jaw sarcomas.
• Squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma that grows into the jaw usually starts somewhere else in the mouth, not in the jawbone. Tobacco raises the risk of mouth cancer and other head and neck cancers that can affect the jaw. Using tobacco and alcohol together raises the risk even more.
• Malignant odontogenic tumors. Experts don't know what causes most of these rare cancers. Some develop from an existing, benign odontogenic tumor or cyst. Others develop without an earlier tumor or cyst.

Risk factors

Risk factors depend on the type of cancer affecting the jaw. Having a risk factor doesn't mean that you'll develop cancer.

The risk factors below apply mainly to cancers of the mouth that can grow into the jaw. There aren't known risk factors for every type of cancer that starts in the jaw.

For mouth cancer that may grow into the jaw, risk factors include:

• Tobacco use. Cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco increase the risk of mouth and other head and neck cancers. Chewing tobacco also raises the risk of cancers of the mouth, some of which can grow into the jaw.
• Alcohol use. Alcohol use increases the risk of mouth and other head and neck cancers. Using tobacco and alcohol together raises the risk even more.
• Betel quid use. Chewing betel quid, with or without tobacco, increases the risk of mouth cancer.
• A history of head and neck cancer. Someone who has had a head and neck cancer has a higher risk of developing another head and neck cancer.