Q16 ) When oral cancer spreads to the mandible which of the following occurs?
a) Lip nerve supply is lost
b) This makes the tumor inoperable
c) Bone scan gives the real picture if the bone is truly invaded or not
d) Radiotherapy changes the pathophysiology of mandibular invasion
16) d
Prevalence of mandibular involvement in oral cancer reaches upto 50%. Main route of entry into mandible is reported to be through alveolar crest and lingual cortex if the tumour is located medial to mandible.
Invasion of mandible means T4 and does not make the tumor inoperable. MRI and CT are helpful to know the involvement of bone. Lip sensation remains unchanged