Hi, I'm new today. My father has just been diagnosed with Osteosarcoma of the lower left jaw. He's 60 years old, which makes this cancer even more rare than it already is for a child. He's looking at a jaw replacement on the lower left side. Has anyone had this type of replacement, what to expect, and how to prepare him for this. We're at the Mayo Clinic with Dr. O. A worried family awaits anything you can share.
Thanks,
Nicole

Nicole, I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's diagnosis. You are right about it being extremely rare, I looked on the internet for info, and found this site, it may give you more information than you want at this point, but it is well explained and fairly easy to read.
http://www.emedicine.com/orthoped/topic531.htm
It is sometimes a secondary effect of radiation therapy to the area, so there may be a few folks on this board who have experience with this problem. I have not, so cannot offer anecdotal advice. I do offer my best wishes for your Dad's speedy recovery.
Andrea

Nicole, Three years ago I had a lower jaw replacement on both the left and right sides. The surgery lasted over 12 hours. A piece of my left lower leg bone was used to replace the cancerous bone. My surgery was done at the Mayo Hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona. I was hospitalized for almost three weeks. I received the very BEST of care. My leg never gave me any problem and I was kept as confortable as possible. I couldn't talk, so I had a paper and pen handy for any questions or comments I wished to make. The Drs. and nurses were very patient trying to understand my communications. After six weeks I had radiation for six weeks. The major problem is learning to eat different foods. All soft. Eggs, pancakes. gravey, Ice cream, yogert etc. It is amazing how you learn to adapt. Attitude has alot to do with the recovery. I was told so many times that my positive attitude was helping me get better and make significant progress. My advise is knowing you are being treated by the " best experts in this field of oral cancer" is reassuring and keeping the attitude that tomorrow will be better should help you Dad make it through just fine. Best of luck to you both.I'll keep following your posts and will add any knowledge I have as your father's recovery progresses.
Hacklene

Hi,

My name is Kelly Wilson. I live in Oklahoma and my daughter Tylar was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma of the right jaw in 2004 at the age of 6. She underwent chemo and also a 14-hour surgery to remove her tumor and reconstruct her jaw. They used a rib bone, but it ended up having to be removed after 2 months of battling infections. We are currently seeing Dr. Kenneth Salyer in Dallas, TX. He will be doing a reconstruction of her using a leg bone within the next year. Tylar has been off of chemo since April of 2005 and currently has no evidence of disease. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me. It is so hard to find people with Osteo of jaw to talk to.