Jaw Cancer

While rare, jaw cancer accounts for about 4% of all cancers in the United States. To prevent long-term complications of jaw cancer, Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas offers superior diagnostic and treatment services. Cancer expert Yadro Ducic, MD, FACS, specializes in surgery to remove cancerous tumors and bone. Dr. Ducic also provides reconstruction surgery to restore function in your jaw. Call the office in Fort Worth, Texas, to schedule a jaw cancer consultation or book an appointment online today.

What is jaw cancer?

Jaw cancer is a type of bone cancer that develops in the upper (maxilla) and lower (mandible) jawbones or spreads to the jaw from structures in your mouth or from your bloodstream. This rare type of cancer can affect either the lower or upper jaw or both of the bone structures.

Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas offers comprehensive care for jaw cancer, including diagnostic testing and individualized treatment plans. 

Dr. Ducic focuses on eliminating cancer cells before they spread to nearby lymph nodes and other structures.

When should I seek medical help for jaw cancer?

In the earliest stages, jaw cancer may not cause any noticeable symptoms. As the disease progresses, you might experience slow-healing sores, bleeding, and white skin patches on the jaw.

Other symptoms of jaw cancer can include:

• Jaw pain
• Loose teeth
• Difficult speaking
• Troubles swallowing
• Pain when opening your mouth
• Lump in your neck

If you have any of these symptoms, schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas. Dr. Ducic performs a physical exam of your jaw and may order X-rays or other diagnostic imaging tests. He can also collect a tissue sample during a biopsy and check it under a microscope for cancer cells.

Testing helps Dr. Ducic confirm cancer and determine how advanced it is (cancer stage). Based on the testing results, he customizes a care plan to treat cancer and prevent it from worsening.

How is jaw cancer treated?

Treating jaw cancer typically involves a combination of surgery and radiation therapy. People with jaw cancer that’s not treatable with surgery may need chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells.

Dr. Ducic uses state-of-the-art surgical techniques to remove cancerous tissue and tumors from around your jaw. If you have advanced cancer, he may also need to remove a portion of your upper or lower jawbone.

If you need part of your bone removed, Dr. Ducic can design a surgical reconstruction plan to restore function in your jawbone. He transplants a healthy bone graft from another area of your body into your jaw, so you can chew, swallow, and speak after you heal.

Dr. Ducic may refer you for speech therapy or physical therapy to support your recovery. You can also expect to schedule routine follow-up visits at the office, so he can monitor your healing process and ensure jaw cancer doesn’t return.

Call the Head & Neck Cancer Center of Texas office nearest you to schedule a jaw cancer consultation or book an appointment online today.