Just finished a consultation with a well-respected specialist in Miami, Dr. Marx, who said that my presumed ORN may, instead, be radiation-induced osteosarcoma of the mandible. I have a biopsy scheduled for tomorrow to find out. I too had two molars removed followed by 30 HBO dives back in December 2010. About 8 months later I discovered a lump on the side of my jaw that has gotten progressively bigger. Tooth extractions can, indeed bring on ORN of the mandible but radiation can also cause some issues far down the road. Either way, I think I was facing a mandibulectomy anyway. If its osteosarcoma, we just add chemotherapy.

2006 SCC T0 N1 M0; 2006 EBRT x 33, chemo x 3; 2010 Extraction 2 molars; 2010 HBOx30; 2011 Dx osteosarcoma of mandible; 12/20/11 mandibulectomy with temp. titanium plate; 1/31/2012 chemo x 4; 9/19/2012 Reconstruction of mandible with graft from hip and bone morphogenic protein