| | Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 3 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 3 | Greetings, all! I'm new to this group but I am not, as you can tell from my signature, new to cancer.
I was diagnosed with a low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the left mandible in October 2012, and had a jaw resection with titanium plate and fibular graft in November 2012. My excellent surgeons are at University of Maryland, Baltimore Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery Assocs. I had no positive lymph nodes (of more than 50 examined!) and clean but relatively narrow margins. I understand that this tumor, though invasive, is relatively indolent, which makes it not particularly responsive to chemo or radiation. The tumor is considered Stage IV because it is in the bone, though that is where it originated. My case went before the tumor board, and they recommended no further treatment, just close follow-up.
I've recovered well from my surgery -- the recovery was, fortunately, easier than I'd anticipated. Most of my facial swelling has gone down and my skin graft donor site and fibular graft are healing well, though I still have a fair amount of discomfort in my leg.
I don't have much in the way of questions, but would be interested in hearing of others diagnosed with this type of cancer in the jaw -- I understand it is an extremely rare occurrence.
My best wishes to all who have need of this board.
Elaine Block
Breast cancer: 1996 (Stage 2), right mastectomy & recon., CMFx6, 5 yrs of Tamoxifen; 2011 (Stage 1), left mastectomy and recon., Arimidex
Colon cancer 2010 -- right hemicolectomy
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the left mandible 2012, jaw resection and fibular graft Nov. 2012 -- no further treatment
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Hi Elaine!
Welcome to OCF, so glad you have joined OCF! I have also had a mandibulectomy. My situation was very different than yours and I encountered many complications and setbacks.
Your surgery and recovery sound like you have done extremely well with both. Normally recovery will take a full year for a person to adapt to such an invasive surgery. You are one fo the very lucky ones!!!
Best wishes with your continued recovery!!!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 3 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 3 | Thanks, Christine. I do know that I'm one of the lucky ones -- though this is my 4th cancer (the 3rd in as many years), I've done well with all my surgeries and treatments so far. I do sometimes feel like the bride of Frankenstein: one of my breasts is a flap from my abdomen, the other is flap from my back, and now my jaw is a flap from my fibula. I've found it's very important in all this to keep my sense of humor!
Elaine
Breast cancer: 1996 (Stage 2), right mastectomy & recon., CMFx6, 5 yrs of Tamoxifen; 2011 (Stage 1), left mastectomy and recon., Arimidex
Colon cancer 2010 -- right hemicolectomy
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the left mandible 2012, jaw resection and fibular graft Nov. 2012 -- no further treatment
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | Hi Elaine and welcome! Congrats on being a multiple survivor! you are an inspiration!
Last edited by Cheryld; 02-14-2013 09:53 PM.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 3 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 3 | Thanks for the welcome, Cheryl.
Elaine
Breast cancer: 1996 (Stage 2), right mastectomy & recon., CMFx6, 5 yrs of Tamoxifen; 2011 (Stage 1), left mastectomy and recon., Arimidex
Colon cancer 2010 -- right hemicolectomy
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the left mandible 2012, jaw resection and fibular graft Nov. 2012 -- no further treatment
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