Many types of tumors and cysts can form in your jaw. Most types are rare. Tumors are solid masses that can be cancerous or noncancerous. Cysts are sacs that contain liquid or air.
Most tumors or cysts that develop on your jaw aren’t cancerous, but even noncancerous tumors can cause problems, such as:
- difficulty opening and closing your mouth
- swelling or pain in your jaw
- loose teeth
Tumors and cysts that affect your jaw are broadly classified as:
- Odontogenic: if they originate in cells that are responsible for tooth development
- Nonodontogenic: if they don’t originate in cells responsible for tooth development
Most cysts or tumors that develop in your jaw have a good outlook if treated properly, but some can be aggressive and cause problems.
Many different types of cysts and tumors can affect your jaw. The World Health Organization (WHO) lists more than 30 types of odontogenic tumors in their International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision.
Here’s a look at some of the more common types of jaw cysts and tumors.
- Dentigerous cysts: Dentigerous cysts are the
most common odontogenic (originating in the teeth) cysts. They form over an unerupted or partially erupted tooth. They most often occur over your wisdom teeth or your upper canines. - Odontomas: Odontomas are the most common odontogenic tumors. They’re noncancerous and resemble an abnormally shaped tooth.
- Ameloblastoma: Ameloblastomas are rare noncancerous odontogenic tumors that usually develop in your jaw near your molars. They’re the
second most common type of odontogenic tumor. - Ameloblastic carcinoma: Ameloblastic carcinoma is a rare cancerous odontogenic tumor. They make up less than
1% of odontogenic tumors and are closely related to ameloblastoma. - Central giant cell granulomas: Central giant cell granulomas are noncancerous but aggressive nonodontogenic tumors. They’re the most common nonodontogenic tumors of the jaw, accounting for
7% of noncancerous jaw tumors. - Squamous cell carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinomas make up over
90% of cancers in your mouth and are the most common jaw cancer. - Osteosarcoma: Osteosarcoma is a cancerous tumor that makes up more than
half of primary bone cancers. They’re thesecond most common type of jaw cancer.
Tumors and cysts of your jaw can cause many different symptoms that can include:
- jaw pain
- numbness
- tenderness
- teeth shifting
- swelling
- mouth ulcers
- abnormally colored areas
- red and white patches
Here’s a look at some of the specific symptoms of jaw tumors or cysts by type:
| Tumor or cyst type | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Dentigerous cysts | – usually don’t cause symptoms unless the cyst becomes inflamed – swelling – tooth sensitivity – tooth shifting |
| Odontomas | – pain – swelling – tooth shifting |
| Ameloblastoma | – usually presents as a slow-growing painless tumor around your lower molars – large tumors can lead to facial deformity |
| Ameloblastic carcinoma | – often doesn’t cause symptoms – may cause progressive pain and swelling in your jaw – bleeding gums – headaches |
| Central giant cell granulomas | – usually – rapidly growing painless swelling |
| Squamous cell carcinoma | – loose teeth – mouth pain – difficulty swallowing – mouth sore that doesn’t heal – white or reddish patch |
| Osteosarcoma | – swelling – pain – ulcers – numbness – noticeable mass |
This image gallery provides pictures of jaw tumors.
In most cases, the cause of the tumor or cyst isn’t known. Odontogenic tumors and cysts develop from cells involved in tooth development.
Here are some of the known causes and risk factors
| Tumor or cyst type | Causes and risk factors |
|---|---|
| Dentigerous cysts | – The exact cause is unknown. – It’s most common in your 20s and 30s. |
| Odontomas | – possibly trauma to primary teeth – infections – genetics |
| Ameloblastoma | – The exact cause is unknown. – possibly genetic mutations in cells that activate the |
| Ameloblastic carcinoma | – can arise from ameloblastoma – a combination of genetic and environmental factors speculated |
| Central giant cell granulomas | – The exact cause is unknown. – most common in females and people under 20 years old. |
| Squamous cell carcinoma | – associated with precancerous lesions, such as erythroplakia and leukoplakia |
| Osteosarcoma | – · previous radiation therapy · Paget’s disease · inherited syndromes, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome |
Doctors usually start the diagnostic process by reviewing your personal and family medical history as well as performing a physical exam. They may order additional tests, such as:
Surgical removal is the main treatment for many types of jaw tumors and cysts. Depending on the location and extent of your tumor or cyst, you may also need to have teeth removed or receive reconstruction of your jawbone.
| Tumor or cyst type | Treatment |
|---|---|
| Dentigerous cysts | – extraction of associated tooth followed by removal of the cyst |
| Odontomas | – surgical removal |
| Ameloblastoma | – usually surgically removed – jaw reconstruction surgery – radiation therapy if surgery isn’t an option |
| Ameloblastic carcinoma | – surgical removal – radiation therapy – cryotherapy – chemotherapy |
| Central giant cell granulomas | – |
| Squamous cell carcinoma | – surgical removal – chemotherapy – radiation therapy |
| Osteosarcoma | – surgical removal – chemotherapy – radiation therapy |
The outlook for jaw tumors and cysts varies widely depending on what type you have. In general, factors associated with a better outlook include:
- younger age
- able to be removed surgically
- smaller tumor
- spread to lymph nodes or distant body parts
| Tumor or cyst type | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Dentigerous cysts | – |
| Odontomas | – generally good if treated surgically with no reoccurrence reported for up to |
| Ameloblastoma | – reoccurrence in about |
| Ameloblastic carcinoma | – 5-year survival rate has been reported as |
| Central giant cell granulomas | – can be severely deforming – reoccurrence rate between |
| Squamous cell carcinoma | – – A 2019 |
| Osteosarcoma | – A small 2019 study reported a 5-year recurrence-free survival rate of 73.6% |
Most types of tumors and cysts of your jaw are rare. The majority are noncancerous but can still cause problems if they grow large.
Surgery is used to treat most types of jaw tumors and cysts. If you’re not eligible for surgery, your doctor may recommend alternatives such as radiation therapy.