Osteogenic sarcoma of the jaw. Osteogenic sarcoma of the jaw - causes, symptoms and treatment

Oncology of the jaw is diagnosed in 1-2% of the total number cancer diseases. It has no clear gender and develops at any age. At the same time, defeats lower jaw are less common than upper pathologies. Because of complex structure tumors of its different parts are possible in the maxillofacial system.

Malignant tumors of the jaw are divided into osteosarcoma and epithelial cancer. Bones suffer soft fabrics, vessels. The disease is not easy to treat, so great importance acquires early diagnosis. Consultation with an otolaryngologist, dentist, ophthalmologist, surgeon and oncologist plays an important role in it.

Jaw cancer concept

Cancer of the lower jaw (or upper jaw) is also called squamous cell formation, adenocarcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma. The pathology is based on the transformation of healthy cells of the maxillofacial zone into tumor cells. In 60% of cases, the process develops from the epithelial tissues that line the maxillary sinuses. The prognosis of the disease is unfavorable, therapy is long and complex.

Causes of the disease

Malignant tumors arise and develop under the influence of several factors. The main cause of the disease is considered to be injuries in the facial area. Additional reasons speakers:

• smoking, habit of chewing tobacco;
• improper care of teeth and gums;
• radiation exposure;
• outbreaks chronic inflammation on the mucous membrane;
• progressive caries;
• mucosal injuries due to malocclusion;
• low-quality prostheses;
• osteomyelitis;
• a consequence of oncology of the tongue, kidneys, thyroid gland(we recommend reading: ).

Diagnostic methods

When diagnosing jaw cancer, specialists rely on the patient’s complaints, palpation results and visual inspection. To recognize the disease, an additional x-ray is taken in several projections, which allows you to see the picture of jaw cancer and differentiate it according to the following characteristics:

• destruction of loops of spongy substance;
• destructive changes in bone;
• foci of destruction and contours of transition to them from healthy tissues.

Confirm cancer diagnosis upper jaw allows general clinical examination, blood tests, urine tests, fluorography, histological examination of affected tissues. Additionally, scintigraphy is indicated, CT scan sinuses, biopsy submandibular lymph nodes. The examination includes a consultation with an ophthalmologist and an ENT specialist, which will allow you to find out about the condition of the maxillary sinuses. In some cases, a puncture is prescribed lymph nodes to determine metastasis in cancer of the upper jaw.

Pathology is differentiated from symptoms chronic osteomyelitis, osteogenic and odontogenic tumors, defined bone diseases. Once the diagnosis is confirmed and the extent of the damage is determined, the doctor prescribes a course of treatment consisting of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.

Stages of development and symptoms of jaw cancer

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A malignant lesion develops in several stages, as can be seen in the photo. According to the TNM classification, the following sequence of disease spread is distinguished:

• T1 - cancer affects one anatomical part. There are no destructive bone changes.
• T2 - pathology affects two anatomical parts. On the affected side, metastasis is detected.
• T3 - the tumor affects more than 2 anatomical parts. During the examination, it is possible to identify 1-2 metastases.
• T4 - pathology spreads further to other tissues. Metastases fused with surrounding tissues are detected.

Symptoms of the disease become noticeable quickly enough, since the oral mucosa immediately reacts to inflammatory process. With a tumor of the maxillofacial zone, painful sensations, the bite changes, the shape of the nose changes. Additionally, numbness is possible skin, headache, bad smell from mouth, purulent discharge from the nose. Also possible:

• periodic throbbing pain in the teeth area;
• changes in facial bones (overgrowth of pathological tissues);
• progression of facial asymmetry;
• tooth displacement;
• pain when swallowing, eating;
• limited jaw mobility.

Such symptoms may indicate not only osteogenic sarcoma of the jaw, but also other complex ailments. For example, neuritis, sinusitis, sinusitis. This is taken into account by doctors, and when making a diagnosis, a comprehensive examination.

Primary and secondary tumor type

Oncology develops in the cheekbone area, near the eyes, in the subtemporal region, and around the nose. According to the degree of development, the tumor is classified as:

What is sarcoma?

Sarcoma of the jaw is the most aggressive form of oncology. She's progressing faster cancerous tumor, and from timely diagnosis The patient's life depends. The formation originates from connective or cartilaginous tissues and most often affects top part. With an advanced form of osteosarcoma of the upper jaw, damage is observed in the mouth area. Pathology is more often diagnosed in men 25-40 years old.

Causes

Osteogenic sarcoma jaw characterized rapid growth. Common causes of damage are:

• heredity;
• the effect of radiation;
• drug addiction, smoking, alcohol abuse;
• history of tumor pathologies;
• traumatic factors;
• contact with carcinogens (cobalt, mercury, lead and others);
• poor ecology in the region.

Classification and signs of disease manifestation

Jaw sarcomas are formed in the form of Ewing's sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and osteogenic sarcoma of the jaw. According to their location, they are maxillary and mandibular, divided into central, peripheral and soft tissue. Round cell sarcomas of the lower jaw are known, which developed over 2 months and manifested themselves as intense toothache. At the same time, the relief bone tissue rapidly deteriorated, teeth crumbled and fell out.

The first sign of jaw sarcoma is the appearance of a small round formation with clear boundaries. Other signs of this cancer:

• Pain syndrome. The patient finds it difficult to determine the location of the pain. It is present in the area of ​​the teeth close to the tumor. There may be nagging discomfort, shooting in the temples.
• Deformations of facial contours. Redness of the mucous membrane is observed as the tumor grows. Possible swelling of the face, destruction of bone tissue, compaction in the cheek area. If the process is located in the upper part, problems with nasal breathing and nosebleeds are possible.
• Numbness of areas of the face. With mechanical compression nerve endings sarcoma of the lower jaw, there is a lack of sensitivity of the chin and lower lip.
• Difficulty swallowing and chewing food. Over time, with osteosarcoma, problems with bite are added to this.
• General deterioration in health. Weakness, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and other symptoms are observed.

Treatment of sarcoma and other malignancies

Treatment of osteosarcoma of the jaw, squamous cell carcinoma and other forms of oncology are prescribed only after full diagnostics. Due to the severity and rapid spread of the disease, it cannot be delayed.

Under general anesthesia the affected tissue is surgically removed. Loose teeth are then removed and radiation treatment or chemotherapy is given before gamma irradiation. After recovery, implants are installed to restore facial contours and improve quality of life.

Surgical methods

First of all, surgical treatment is performed, the technique of which depends on the extent of the lesion. Modern surgery uses the following methods:

• for superficial lesions - partial resection;
• in the absence of deep foci and interference with the alveolar processes - segmental resection;
• if the angle of the jaw is affected by cancer, half of it is removed;
• when osteosarcoma is located in the chin area - resection of soft tissues and bones.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are part of a combinatorial intervention for jaw cancer. They are prescribed to inoperable patients, and are also carried out for effectiveness surgical treatment. Contraindications to gamma therapy remain until the patient’s loose and damaged teeth are removed from the area of ​​future irradiation.

The preparation stage for the procedure includes sanitation of the oral cavity, as well as identifying the lesions to which radioactive rays will be directed. The first session is carried out 2 weeks after sanitation of the oral cavity. Manipulations are divided into palliative (two weeks) and radical, carried out over several months. After the procedure, skin burns, distortions in taste perception, difficulty swallowing, and dry mucous membranes are possible. Complications go away during rehabilitation.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy for cancer of the upper and lower jaw involves taking cytostatic medications that can destroy cancer cells, prevent their proliferation and destroy metastases. Treatment regimens depend on the type and stage of the tumor (sarcoma of the lower jaw, upper jaw, squamous cell lesion). For inoperable tumors, palliative therapy is carried out. In preparation for surgical intervention Curative chemotherapy is indicated. It can reduce the size of osteosarcoma or completely eliminate cancer cells.

Treatment of upper jaw cancer involves a combination of radiation and chemotherapy. When treating mandibular cancer, cytostatic substances are injected into the artery and regional chemotherapy is performed.

Recovery after treatment

Methods to combat jaw cancer are aggressive, and after them the patient needs rehabilitation. In addition to complex prosthetics, a person requires updated operations, speech correction, and health improvement in general sanatoriums. Three-stage prosthetics are usually used:

• Before the operation, an individual prosthetic plate is made;
• production of a formative prosthesis within 2 weeks after surgery;
• creation of the final prosthesis, compensation of soft tissue defects using splints and bone plates.

For cancer of the upper jaw, a commission is carried out (disability group II). Bone grafting It is recommended to carry out 10-12 months after tumor removal. Radical intervention leads to disability and decreased ability to work, but over time, patients can return to mental work and other activities.

Prognosis for cancer of the upper and lower jaw

Jaw cancer can spread quickly to eye area. As it germinates, it causes the following consequences:

Can jaw cancer recur after treatment? According to the experience of oncologists, this is possible within several years after therapy. The five-year survival rate for cancer of the lower jaw is no more than 20-30%. With Ewing's sarcoma, osteogenic sarcoma and other forms, the prognosis for survival is even more unfavorable.

Prevention of jaw cancer

Primary prevention of jaw cancer includes measures aimed at preventing the disease. These include:

• life without smoking and others bad habits;
• work with chemicals and reagents only for safety reasons;
• regular examinations by the dentist (they become especially important if there is a genetic predisposition to cancer or sarcoma of the jaw);
• fight against stress, good food, improvement of living conditions.

Prevention of recurrence of cancer of the lower jaw is based on the same postulates as primary prevention. A positive attitude, support from loved ones and self-confidence are very important. It is required to maintain moderate activity, do not give up lungs physical activity, follow all recommendations prescribed by the doctor. Taking good care of your health and giving up bad habits will reduce the risk of cancer and increase vitality and allow us to reconsider priorities.

Osteogenic sarcoma of the jaw, the symptoms of which at the beginning of the disease do not cause much concern, since the patients look relatively healthy, is a low-quality craniofacial neoplasm. With increased division of malignant cells connective tissue, periosteum, cortical bone and spongy bone marrow, a tumor forms and grows. The pain is felt periodically, it can be relieved with medications.

At first, the symptoms resemble the course of colds and chronic fatigue. The sick person independently treats sinusitis, periodontal disease, and tries to remove folk remedies swelling upper eyelid and “bags” under the eyes, splashes oral cavity a refreshing liquid to eliminate the unpleasant odor, and when he comes to see a doctor, the disease is often diagnosed in the later stages of development. Time for treatment is lost. The chances of a favorable treatment outcome are sharply reduced.

Osteogenic sarcoma of the jaw is a difficult-to-treat malignant tumor. For her, as for all cancer diseases, weight loss, general weakness, irritability, bad dream, decreased ability to work, loss of appetite, chronic fatigue, constant colds due to weakening of work immune system. The patient's lymph nodes are enlarged, not only those directly adjacent to the tumor, but also the entire lymphatic system body. However similar symptoms have diseases other than cancer. Osteosarcoma of the jaw will manifest itself in pain, swelling and impairment motor functions temporomandibular joint.

On early stage cancer manifests itself dull ache only at night. Over time, the neoplasm grows, attracting neighboring tissues into the process and increasing painful sensations. When sarcoma penetrates the lower jaw, the main location of pain is the teeth. In addition, itching, rubefaction and irritation of the gums are noted, teeth become loose and fall out. Jawbone grows in volume with swelling of soft tissues, appears on the skin of the face spider veins dilated small veins (so-called phlebectasia). IN jaw joint contracture develops, the amplitude of his movements decreases. If you palpate the problem area, the patient will feel sharp pain, which gradually takes on a permanent character, becomes unbearable, and prevents you from falling asleep. Traditional analgesics do not have an analgesic effect.

When a tumor grows into surrounding tissues, the outflow of fluid becomes difficult, which leads to the formation of lymph stagnation. Even with a small mass of malignant formation, in many cases there is an external cosmetic defect in the form of protrusion of soft tissue. In parallel, the so-called Vincent syndrome is observed: tingling or numbness of the skin (at a later stage of development of the disease) in half of the lower lip and chin.

There is a limitation in mouth opening, the lower jaw moves to the side. As the size of the sarcoma increases, tight compression of the jaws does not occur. Chewing food is difficult, and it is difficult for the patient to talk.

On initial stage no increase in body temperature is observed during the development of the disease. Only occasionally can the patient record individual fluctuations (up to 38°C). Low-grade fever observed for 2–3 days and disappears on its own. On late stages During the course of the disease, the weakened body cannot remove sarcoma decay products from the body, the temperature can rise to 40°C and does not subside a long period. As a result of weakened immunity, the patient may additionally be affected by an infectious disease.

When malignant cancer cell It grows inside the bone, in the nasal sinuses or orbits, it is called central, and the peripheral cancer cell first affects the soft tissues.

Symptoms of the disease also depend on the location of the tumor. If the tumor is located in the bones of the skull, there will be an external cosmetic defect and pain when the tumor is small. Osteosarcoma of the upper jaw entails a violation of the process of chewing food; it is difficult for the patient to open his mouth, the jaws are closed with swelling of the soft tissues. A venous network appears on the face, the soft tissues of the face acquire the consistency of dough or plasticine. Cases of paresthesia and muscle paresis have been recorded, since the nerve networks innervating the facial muscles and general sensitivity are blocked.

In the first stages of development, sarcoma of the upper jaw is often not recognized. For example, a rhinological diagnosis may be incorrectly established because cancer accompanied by bloody and purulent secretion from the nose. There is a sharp foul odor from mouth. The patient notes constant breathing only through one sinus or breathes through the mouth. The sense of smell disappears, deformation is recorded with a shift of the outer part of the nose in the direction opposite to the tumor. An attentive doctor will detect a tumor during rhinoscopy, which will serve as the basis for a biopsy.

During the examination, the dentist will note the dental signs of cancer:

• gums to some extent hidden by tissue, teeth not fully erupted;
• individual loose teeth;
• pain in the area where the molars are located;
• oroantral ligament of the oral cavity and maxillary sinus;
• pathological limitation of the work of the masticatory muscles;
• unpleasant putrid odor.

Neurological symptoms of the disease are migraine, neuralgia and pain syndromes in the facial area.

If sarcoma infiltrates into the eye orbit, the eyeball changes its position, protruding to the side or forward (the so-called exophthalmos), when pressing on tear duct Unintentional tearing occurs. The eyelids swell, visual acuity decreases. Eyeball may also shift deeper into the ocular region, then diplopia is noted - the observed objects bifurcate. At the same time, the growth of malignant formation is accompanied by intense and exhausting pain syndrome along all branches trigeminal nerve, contracture of the masticatory muscles, as well as headaches.

The facial skeleton undergoes changes, as the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus, alveolar process and palate in front are destroyed when the process spreads to soft tissues. The nasolabial furrow on the patient’s face is smoothed out, the face looks asymmetrical.

The bone structures of the upper jaw are injured even during eating, which leads to the appearance of cracks and ulcers on the oral mucosa. The oncological disease is accompanied by a secondary infection, which gives additional complication course of the disease. The radiograph shows a rounded destructive metastasis of bone tissue, its blurred boundaries of different diameters, and periosteal visors.

Almost every time, sarcoma of the lower jaw covering the teeth is illustrated, first of all, by pain during jaw movement. Acute pain gives off to the inferior alveolar nerve. Often there is expansion of the bone tissue due to the penetration of the tumor into the cancellous bone structures (bone bulge). After penetration malignant tumor an unnatural bone cavity, the roots of teeth located nearby are in the stage of destruction and degradation. The neck of each tooth becomes exposed and bleeds, then the tooth becomes pathologically mobile, becomes loose and falls out.

The oral mucosa - the alveolar ridge and the floor of the mouth - becomes covered with purulent ulcers and cracks, through which microorganisms and infection enter the weakened body. Therefore, osteogenic sarcoma, localized in the lower jaw, is an infiltrate or tumor ulcer. With subsequent spread of metastases to regional lymph nodes clinical picture the course of the disease worsens.

The growth of tumor formation irritates the mental and mandibular nerves, the pain intensifies and becomes stronger. The gums also become swollen and deformed. Subsequently, a slit-like ulcer forms on it, completely filled with pus. Naturally, all this is accompanied unpleasant smell rotting. Alveolar ridge deformed. Malignant formation corrodes the posterior wall, grows into the pterygoid and temporal fossae, into salivary glands under the jaw and near the ears.

Displacement of the tongue, larynx, and pharyngeal wall in the middle section is noted. Difficulty speaking and eating. The swelling that accompanies the disease gradually increases and leads to facial asymmetry. At the same time, soft facial tissues lose sensitivity.

With the disintegration of the sarcoma and parallel infection of the body, the body temperature increases to 39.9°C, the pain progresses, covering the entire head area.

The x-ray clearly shows the rejection of the periosteum and the formation of new bone pathological tissue: individual spines (spicules) and periosteal layers. The thickness of some parts of the jaw increases. If the bones of the lower jaw are significantly affected, it may suddenly break.

Conclusion on the topic

Osteogenic sarcoma is quite rare, but very serious disease, requiring immediate treatment. Its maxillary localization is most often noted - damage to the lower jaw is observed in approximately 30% of cases. However, if malignancy located in the lower jaw, it is more aggressive towards surrounding tissues, the speed of its development is higher, and cancer cells spread faster through the bloodstream, forming metastases.

Sarcoma of the jaws: classification, clinical picture, features of metastasis, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, principles of treatment planning.

Sarcomas are malignant mesenchymal tumors. There are the following forms of sarcoma of the jaws:

1. Fibrosarcoma;

2. myxosarcoma;

3. chondrosarcoma;

4. osteogenic sarcoma; "

5. reticulosarcoma;

6. Ewing's sarcoma;

7. hemangioendothelioma;

8. angaosarcoma.Clinical picture

1. Fibrosarcoma

Develops from connective tissue. Fibrosarcoma of the jaw can be central or peripheral. Peripheral arise from the periosteum. They are located outside the bone and grow mainly towards the soft tissues surrounding the jaw or into the oral cavity. The central ones arise in the thickness of the bone, apparently from the connective tissue stroma of the bone marrow.

The first sign of periosteal fibroma is the appearance of a slowly growing tumor. In later stages, aching, pulling, shooting pain may appear. But there are times when, on the contrary, pain is the first symptom.

With the development of fibrosarcoma from the periosteum in the initial stages, slight redness of the mucous membrane is observed, discomfort or mild pain appears when palpating the changed area. The swelling grows relatively slowly but steadily, sometimes reaching quite large sizes. Changes in the skin over the tumor depend on its size. When its size is small, the skin over it is not changed, when it is large, it is somewhat thinned and acquires a pale bluish color. The tumor is immobilely fused to the bone, has a dense elastic consistency, is slightly painful, with a smooth, less often large-lumpy surface. The mucous membrane covering the tumor is thinned, pale or purplish-bluish. When the tumor is large, areas of ulceration are found and the tumor bleeds from a light touch. The transitional fold, depending on the size and extent of the tumor, is free or smoothed. The most common location of periosteal fibrosarcomas is the tubercle of the maxilla.

Central fibrosarcoma of the jaws is usually asymptomatic at the beginning of its development. By the time an externally noticeable bone tumor appears, significant changes have already been detected. In some cases they have the appearance of spotty-focal bone restructuring, in others - a homogeneous, ill-defined lytic focus. In some cases, the destruction zone may have a fairly clear border with the bone tissue and resemble the lytic form of osteoblastoclastoma. As the tumor grows, it spreads through the bone more or less quickly. The cortical layer of the bone becomes thinner and then breaks through, revealing a soft, gradually enlarging tumor on the outside. In the later stages of tumor development, both periosteal and central, sometimes easily bleeding areas of ulceration appear, which first appear in the injured areas of the tumor. At the site of periosteal fibrosarcoma, an arched defect with smooth edges is radiologically determined. Sometimes awl-shaped periosteal layers are observed.

2. Myxosarcoma

This is the most rare type of connective tissue malignant tumor.

Clinical manifestations are similar to those of fibrosarcoma. When developing in the jaw, the picture completely resembles the central form of fibrosarcoma, so accurate diagnosis is possible only on the basis of histological examination of the tumor.

X-ray, along withWith large-cell changes with the thinnest septa of the jaw bone, sometimes a periosteal reaction in the form of thin needles is noted. 3. Chondrosarcoma

Clinically, two forms are conventionally distinguished: peripheral; central.

The peripheral form most often develops in the anterior part of the upper jaw. Deformation of the jaw is detected early due to a rapidly growing tumor. Palpation reveals a dense, usually painless, tuberous tumor without clear boundaries of transition into the jaw bone.

The central form is initially asymptomatic, sometimes pain of a different nature and low intensity may be observed. Subsequently, the size of the jaw bone increases, there are no clear boundaries. The surface is dense, uneven, and in some places there may be areas of slight softening (chondromyxosarcoma). The further course does not differ from the course of osteogenic sarcoma.

On radiographs, central chondrosarcomas show foci of clearing with relatively clear contours. A distinctive feature of these tumors in the X-ray image is the presence of focal shadows from the inclusion of lime. Peripheral chondrosarcomas on x-rays are defined as a poorly defined nodular shadow with intense desalination. The adjacent surface of the jaw bone is eroded and sometimes sclerotic. Reactive changes are observed on the periosteum in the form of spicule-like layers.

4. Osteogenic sarcoma see question 39:

5. Ewing's sarcoma

Ewing's tumor is detected exclusively at a young age from 4-25 years, most often at the age of 10-15 years.

The disease may begin with an attack of aching, dull pain in the affected area, a burning sensation and heat,To which are accompanied by loosening of the teeth, swelling of the soft tissues surrounding the jaw, and an increase in temperature to 39-40°. In these patients, at times, along with general malaise and increasing weakness, a feverish state is noted. Leukocytosis, accelerated ESR, and sometimes secondary anemia are detected in the blood.

The skin and mucous membrane covering the tumor are moderately hyperemic, tense, and sometimes even something similar to fluctuation is detected. After some time, the pain subsides or even disappears completely, the swelling becomes less pronounced, and the mobility of the teeth decreases somewhat. But then the disease worsens with renewed vigor. The size of the tumor either increases or decreases. Thus, the clinical course at the beginning of the disease resembles the picture of acute or subacute odontogenic osteomyelitis.

On an x-ray, Ewing's sarcoma appears as uncharacteristic destructive changes that can be observed with other neoplasms

6. Reticular sarcoma

Reticular sarcoma develops from reticular connective tissue bone marrow and consists of a collection of cells. It differs from Ewing's sarcoma in its larger cell size and the presence of a delicate network of reticulin fibers. The general condition of patients, even with tumors reaching large sizes and causing significant changes in bone size, remains satisfactory. Such a discrepancy between the patient’s condition and the presence of a large tumor with changes in bone tissue is considered characteristic of reticular sarcoma.

The X-ray picture is varied. Most often, there are multiple foci of destruction, which resembles moth-eaten tissue.

Hemangioendothelioma and angiosarcoma.Hemangioendothelioma. -

Characterized by the presence in the tumor of a relatively large number of vascular cavities of various sizes filled with blood andlined expanding endothelium. Typical are rapid growth, purplish-bluish coloration, spontaneous pain, pulsation of the neoplasm is often observed, and the symptom of compression and filling is pronounced. But dense, lumpy tumors may occur in which the latter symptoms are absent.

Hemaigioendothelioma of the jaw produces uncharacteristic structural changes in the bone that are detected radiographically. The edges of the defect are usually uneven, as if corroded. The roots of the teeth, devoid of a bone base, are projected against the background of the defect. Angiosarcoma.

More often, the clinical picture resembles hemangaoendothelioma with pronounced angiomatosis, which gives the tumor a characteristic color. Angiosarcomas are prone to ulceration, especially after injury; bleeding from the ulcerative surface is often observed, which, however, is rarely profuse. From a surgical point of view, the ideal treatment method for hemangiomas is the complete removal of all elements of the tumor.

Conservative treatment methods include: cryodestruction, electrocoagulation, sclerotherapy, radiation therapy. Electrocoagulation is usually effective in treating only small flat hemangiomas.

Sclerotherapy is the administration of substances that promote scarring. In this case, aseptic inflammation and scarring occurs. A portion of this is 96% alcohol, a mixture of hydrogen dichloride quinine and urethane. Malignant vascular tumors require radiation therapy followed by radical surgery.

Diagnostics

Clinical and radiological data allow us to establish a preliminary diagnosis. The main data are biopsy data.

Differential diagnosis

Chondroma should be differentiated from osteogenic sarcoma, chondroma, fibroma; Ewing's sarcoma - with acute odontogenic osteomyelitis, osteogenic sarcoma; reticular sarcoma - with Ewing's sarcoma, osteogenic sarcoma, osteoblastoclastoma, osteomyelitis of the jaw

Osteogenic sarcoma is a malignant neoplasm that forms directly from bone tissue and has the ability to generate new bone itself. The above concept should not be confused with the term “osteosarcoma”, since the latter means more wide range diseases - any of the possible bone sarcomas and, in connection with this, confusion may arise.

A feature of osteogenic sarcoma is that, as a rule, in the case of the disease, one bone is affected. Accordingly, osteogenic sarcoma of the jaw is a disease of the bones of the upper or lower jaw. The most common case is a disease of the upper jaw, the lower jaw is more rare and the most common are also rare cases when a tumor forms in several places, on both jaws.

Symptoms of the disease

Symptoms of osteogenic sarcoma of the jaw are quite difficult to identify for a long time. If we consider specific periods, the onset of the disease can be noticed from the first days of cell damage, but there are cases when the symptoms of osteogenic sarcoma of the jaw remained undetected until 72 (!) months.

The three main signs of the disease are pain symptom, which appears more often if the patient has osteogenic sarcoma of the jaw in the lower part of the face, on the lower jaw, and less often if on the upper jaw. Pain, if it occurs at all, spreads closer to those teeth that are located closer to the tumor, their loosening is also possible, and irritating itching in the gum area. Further, the appearance of a tumor itself, which interferes with chewing food and closing the jaws, regardless of its location. Because of it, swelling of the face and various painful lumps. Finally, the soft tissues of the face may lose sensation, and there may be short-term tingling or numbness in the chin area or under the eyes.

In general, the patient’s condition remains virtually unchanged, especially when it comes to initial stage diseases. But at the moment when osteogenic sarcoma of the jaw goes into a period of decay, the patient’s erythrocyte sedimentation rate increases significantly, in addition, the body temperature can reach 39 degrees, sometimes 40.

Sarcoma is often discovered during an examination of injuries, that is, patients come with complaints of pain from a recent bruise or other injury, and when analyzing symptoms and collecting information, doctors discover a tumor.

In children, osteogenic sarcoma develops extremely quickly and the entire course of the disease usually takes about six months. Due to such a rapid progression of the disease, the prognosis for recovery is often unfavorable.

Diagnostics

Unfortunately, the diagnosis of the disease leaves much to be desired. Approximately only half of the patients who consulted a doctor at the initial stage of the disease were given the correct diagnosis. The remaining patients were diagnosed much later.

The difficulty of making a diagnosis is due to the fact that identifying signs of sarcoma requires a comprehensive examination, based on the results of which a decision can be made about the patient’s health. If any facts were missed when taking tests, collecting information about the patient, or examining photographs of the affected areas, the diagnosis may often be made incorrectly.

Regarding cure, it is common today surgical method. Radiation treatment and chemotherapy are recognized as not the most effective methods.