The importance of early diagnosis and an accurate tumoral evaluation in the treatment of mandibular osteossarcoma

Abstract

Purpose: Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone neoplasm with aggressive clinical evolution which is usually diagnosed in late stages of the disease, when primary tumor reaches significant dimensions. In many cases, an aggressive surgical treatment, which includes major bone resection and is sometimes associated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, is required for better control of local recurrence and metastasis in such lesions. Case Description: This paper reports an early-diagnosed case of osteosarcoma in the left side of the mandible and an accurate evaluation of the tumor involvement by means of Cone Beam Computerized Tomography. Conclusion: The early diagnosis of osteosarcoma is an uncommon condition that has good influence both on the treatment and prognosis of such tumor. This early diagnosis and an accurate evaluation of the tumor involvement were determining factors for conservative, curative surgical procedure with minimum sequelae. The pericementary space should be especially observed, since its thickness is a much more common feature in osteosarcomas. Studies that allow for identifying osteosarcomas in earlier stages should be conducted in order to enable longer survival and better quality of life.