Cancer of the jawbone; While it may arise from the jaw's own tissues, it can also be seen when soft tissue cancers of the mouth and respiratory tract spread to the jawbone. Reasons such as alcohol and cigarette consumption, improperly prepared dentures, poor oral hygiene, untreated tooth decay and jaw cysts can lead to cancer in the jaw bone. Cysts and masses in the jaw can be benign or malignant, as in other cancers. Benign lesions can generally be treated with an appropriate surgical intervention. Surgery is the first procedure to be performed in malignant lesions. In addition to surgery, additional treatments such as radiation therapy (radiotherapy) or drug therapy (chemotherapy) may be needed for malignant lesions.
Surgery in the Treatment of Jaw Cancer
In the surgical treatment of jaw cancer, the cancerous tissue is first removed and the patient is helped to get rid of the cancerous tissues. Then, a new bone tissue is transplanted to the jaw to replace the removed bone tissue. Leg bones and hip bones are most commonly used in the transfer of bone tissue to the jaw. The most commonly used are the bones in the leg (fibula bone). Reconstructing the jaw with bone transfer is important not only for the patient to be fed solid foods after cancer treatment, but also for providing an aesthetic appearance that will enable the patient to return to his social life. A close relationship between the patient and the physician is required during the treatment of jaw cancer. After the surgery, the patient and the patient's relative must act together with the physician, from the patient's nutrition to the maintenance of oral hygiene and the patient's lying position.
Use of Microsurgery in the Repair of the Jawbone
Microsurgery; It is a surgical technique that allows the use of a microscope to stitch the vessels and nerves that are impossible to stitch with the naked eye. Microsurgery applications require special surgical equipment and experienced surgeons. After the cancerous tissue in the jaw is removed, new bone tissue is transplanted to the jaw, often using microsurgical techniques and methods. With microsurgery, the vessels feeding the bone are removed from the leg and stitched to the vessels near the jaw. Thus, the leg bone is also preserved in the jaw area where it is transplanted. moment circulation is regained.
Other Methods for Repairing the Jaw Bone
In the elderly patient group that may be negatively affected by the long surgery time or in the case of microsurgery In patients with problems related to facial or leg vessels where this is not possible, the jaw bone can be repaired with titanium or steel plates or titanium implants. However, a significant disadvantage of these methods is that the screws that hold the plate or implants in place may cause wear in the bone over time. When this happens, the plate or implant becomes displaced in the jaw area where it is applied. Therefore, patients are first evaluated for microsurgery, and if microsurgery is not possible, plate or implant methods are applied.
The Condition of the Teeth After Jaw Cancer Treatment
In patients with jaw cancer, even though cancer treatment is performed, the aim is to optimize the patient's functional and aesthetic status after cancer treatment. During the removal of cancerous tissue in the jaw, the teeth above the cancerous tissue are removed along with the cancer. 6 to 12 months after the patient's jawbone is repaired, a dental implant is placed on the new transplanted bone. In this way, the patient is allowed to regain access to the tooth structure before the cancer was detected. Improving the patient's aesthetic appearance and being able to eat again without any problems are very important elements in healing the psychological damage caused by having cancer.
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