67-year-old man undergoes rare jaw tumour surgery in Chennai

A 67-year-old man with multiple osteomas (slow-growing bone tumours) of the lower jaw underwent surgery at SRM Prime Hospital, Ramapuram, after the tumour growth began compressing his trachea and affecting his breathing. The patient had been living with the condition for several years and sought medical care only after experiencing progressive difficulty in breathing and swallowing.

“The bony growth had expanded significantly on the left side of the lower jaw and was compromising the airway,” said V.B. Krishna Kumar Raja, senior consultant and oral and maxillofacial surgeon, SRM Hospitals, who led the operation. “The procedure required us to open the lower jaw, remove the excess bone, and reconstruct the area. If left untreated, it could have posed a serious airway obstruction.”

Multiple osteomas of the mandible are benign but rare and slow-growing. In this case, the tumour had reached a stage where it was affecting both function and appearance. The surgery was carried out with support from a multidisciplinary team, including anaesthetists, ENT surgeons, and intensivists. Dr. Raja noted that operating on an elderly patient with diabetes and cardiac issues required careful coordination and perioperative monitoring.

The patient received financial support from the hospital for the procedure.

The patient has since recovered and is able to breathe and swallow normally. His facial structure has also been restored. Dr. Raja said increasing awareness is essential, as many patients may dismiss slow-growing jaw swellings without realising when they require intervention.