Ameloblastoma – A rare disorder of the jaw involving abnormal tissue growth

Ameloblastoma is an unusual disorder of the jaw involving the abnormal growth of a tissue. Mostly, the tumors get surfaced in the jaw surrounding the molars. It has the capacity to hit the tissues and sinuses surrounding the eye sockets. In a majority of occasions, men get afflicted with the disease when compared to women. Normally, ameloblastoma is recognized in adults when they are in 40s and 50s.

Symptoms

Usually, Ameloblastoma is asymptomatic and develops slowly before it becomes noticeable through swelling. Depending on the severity of lesions, the patient may be facing a range of symptoms such as:

• Slackening off teeth
• Swelling without pain
• Ulcers in the mouth
• Deformity in face
• Gum disease
• Malocclusion
• Pain
• Wrongly fitted dentures
• Oroantral fistulas
• Ulceration or Periodontal disease
• Nasal airway impediment

Causes

Though the exact cause of the disease is not known, still the following factors are said to be causing Ameloblastoma:

• Benign tumors
• Head and Neck Tumors
• Mouth/jaw injuries
• Teeth infection
• Infections arising out of viruses or deficiency of minerals or proteins in the patient’s diet

Risk Factors and Complications

It has the capacity to hit the tissues and sinuses surrounding the eye sockets. Also, if the disease is left untreated, then it leads to the formation of cysts in the body and these cysts quickly move to the other parts in the body, including the lungs, nose, eye socket and skull.

Tests and Diagnosis

Since it is vital to rightly diagnose ameloblastoma, different techniques may be employed both for diagnosis and for determining the severity of the disease. In most of the instances, the identity of ameloblastoma is revealed through a dental X-ray. The other imaging studies that are done are:

• X-rays of the head portion, neck and jaw
• Biopsy of the tumor’s cells
• CT scans to check the organs and tissues of the neck or head
• MRI scans of the neck and head

Treatment

Early identification of ameloblastoma helps in checking the growth of the tumors. There are four different treatment methods available in cancer hospital in hyderabad:

• Surgery to get rid of the tumor:

The objective of surgery is to eradicate the tumor and a thin margin of healthy tissue that surrounds it. Often, ameloblastoma grows into the surrounding jawbone. As such, maxillofacial and oral surgeons annihilate the affected portion of this bone.

Usually, the treatment of chemotherapy and radiation does not go well with ameloblastoma disease, making the surgery an alternative option to deal with the tumors.

• Radiation Therapy:

Radiation therapy is recommended to a patient when he/she has a big tumor or when they exhibit the symptoms of cancer. The big advantage with radiation therapy is that it lessens the risk of recurrence of tumors. More so, radiation therapy alone has the capacity to kill the tumor.

• Surgery to carry out repair to the jaw:

If surgery Surgeons work to revive the ability of the patient to eat and talk, besides to enhance the appearance of your jaw. If surgery becomes the necessity of taking out a portion of your jawbone, plastic and reconstructive surgeons will fix up the jaw.

• Supportive Care

A group of specialists, including speech therapists, dietitians, physical therapists and swallowing therapists will help the patient in leading a quality of life in the post stages of Ameloblastoma, by making artificial replacements for the damaged teeth or other dysfunctional natural structures in the mouth.

Read more about Ameloblastoma symptoms, causes and treatment

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