What are the most common symptoms of prostate cancer? Problems with urination, erectile dysfunction and sudden weight loss. But for a 78-year-old healthy man it was toothache and swelling of the gums.
A septuagenarian was reportedly suffering from pain due to his wobbly lower left pre-molar. Ultimately, he decided to visit a dentist and have the tooth removed for a quick fix, The Sun reported.
Lesion detected in the jaw
He got no relief from the pain after tooth removal. Ultimately, he had to go to the doctor again because of the sudden swelling of his gums. After a CT scan, the dentist discovered a lesion in his jaw and the doctor recommended further examination.
After multiple tests, the lesion was confirmed to be metastatic prostate cancer, a situation in which cancer spreads to other parts of the body.
“Prostate cancer, like many other cancers, can spread to the jaw,” The Sun quoted Dr. Andrej Bozic, an oral surgeon at Dentum.
Prostate cancer: what is it?
Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate, a small gland found in men. According to the Mayo Clinic website, the small walnut-shaped gland in men produces seminal fluid needed to transport sperm.
Prostate cancer: what are the main symptoms?
Normally, early-stage prostate cancer does not show any signs or symptoms, making it difficult for the person to detect it. If a person is suffering from prostate cancer, he may see symptoms such as difficulty urinating, reduced force in urine flow, blood in urine, weight loss, erectile dysfunction, etc.
Prostate cancer: could toothache or swollen gums be a symptom?
According to Dr. Andrej Bozic, the jawbone has rich blood circulation and active bone marrow. Therefore, it may be a favorable location for the growth of metastatic cancer cells.
Metastatic prostate cancer in the jaw is rare, but when it does happen, it means the cancer has spread widely.
According to the doctor, the symptoms of jaw metastases can be subtle and people may confuse them with dental problems. IT is the main reason why such cases are difficult to detect.
“Patients may experience symptoms such as persistent swelling in the jaw, pain, loose teeth without an apparent cause, or delayed healing after tooth extractions,” said Dr. Bozic.