Question:

My father has had his right lower jaw replaced with titanium jaw after radio therapy shattered his jaw. He has myeloma and had a tumour within his lower jaw bone. As the jaw is infected once again he may have to have the jaw removed altogether. Is there any other options open to him that would leave him able to eat and talk .

Answer:

If the implant is infected it will need to be removed. I can’t determine other options without knowing several factors such as the extent of the surgical resection and amount of radiation to the site. If the whole jaw is removed, the prognosis for reconstruction is guarded.

For more information:

Go to the Oral Cancer health topic.