Overview

Jaw cysts and tumors are growths that can form from bone (including teeth) and soft tissue in your mouth. A jaw cyst is a sac of fluid or semi-liquid material. A jaw tumor is a solid mass that forms when abnormal cells clump together. Both growths are usually benign (noncancerous). This means that, although they may grow and impact tissue in your face and mouth, they usually don’t spread to other parts of your body.

In rare instances, jaw cysts or tumors are malignant (cancerous). Healthcare providers refer to them as jaw cancer. Without treatment, malignant jaw cysts and tumors can spread to body parts other than your jaw.

It’s essential to get any new growth in your jaw or mouth checked. Even if a tumor or cyst is benign, some types can still hurt and damage your jaw or displace teeth.

Types of jaw cysts and tumors

There are several types of jaw cysts and tumors. Providers classify them based on whether they’re benign or malignant. They also consider whether they start in tissue involved in tooth development (odontogenic cysts and tumors) or from other tissue (nonodontogenic cysts and tumors).

The most common types of benign jaw cysts and tumors include:

  • Ameloblastoma: A slow-growing odontogenic tumor that usually forms in your lower jaw near your back teeth (molars). It’s usually benign, but some forms of ameloblastoma may become malignant over time. Even benign tumors can grow big enough to change the structure of your jaw or damage your teeth.
  • Central giant cell granuloma: The most common benign non-odontogenic tumor. It usually forms in the front part of your lower jaw, but it can also develop in your upper jaw. Most tumors only cause painless swelling in your jaw. But fast-growing tumors can cause painful swelling and displace teeth.
  • Dentigerous cysts: The second most common odontogenic cyst. They’re slow-growing cysts that form around the tissue of teeth that haven’t pushed into your mouth (erupted) yet. They usually form near your back teeth (molars). Sometimes, they appear near the teeth on either side of your upper front teeth (upper canines).
  • Odontogenic keratocysts: Slow-growing cysts that usually form near your molars. Smaller keratocysts aren’t usually painful, but large cysts can cause painful swelling. These cysts may be a sign of an inherited condition called Gorlin syndrome. This condition increases your risk of odontogenic keratocysts and some forms of skin cancer.
  • Odontogenic myxoma (myxofibroma): A benign, slow-growing tumor. But these tumors can grow big enough to damage your jaw and displace your teeth.
  • Odontoma: The most common benign odontogenic tumor. One type usually forms in your lower jaw and contains multiple tooth-like structures (compound type). The other type usually forms in your upper jaw and contains unusual masses that don’t resemble teeth (complex type).
  • Periapical cysts: The most common type of jaw cyst. They form when there’s an injury to a tooth that causes inflammation.

Malignant jaw cysts and tumors include rare forms of:

  • Carcinoma: Cancer that starts in the tissue lining your organs, internal passageways and skin.
  • Sarcoma: Cancer that starts in bone or surrounding soft tissue.
  • Carcinosarcoma: Cancer that’s a mix of both carcinoma and sarcoma.

How common are jaw cysts and tumors?

Jaw cysts and tumors are uncommon, and malignant types are especially rare.

Research shows that people in some regions may be more likely to develop them than in other areas. For example, odontogenic tumors account for just 1% of atypical oral (mouth) growths in North America but nearly 20% in some African countries.

Products & Services
A Book: Future Care

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment


Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.
The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:
  • High blood pressure.
  • Diabetes.
  • Heart failure.
  • Some types of heart valve disease.
Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:
  • Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
  • Don't smoke or use tobacco.
  • Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
  • Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
  • Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Reduce and manage stress.


Print

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.

Heart Rhythm Conditions Discussions

See more discussions

Comments are closed for this post.