Maxillary Cancer - Cancer Treatment

Maxillary Cancer Treatment Abroad

Maxillary sinuses are the paired cavities in the just below the cheekbones, on either sides of the nose. When maxillary cancer develops, it originates in one or both of these cavities and then starts spreading further. Depending on the type of cancer, the disease might have progressed more or less. The place of origin and the symptoms which present themselves at the early stages make it difficult to diagnose this disease, especially because the symptoms presented can be easily misinterpreted with those of the less serious medical conditions which are easily treatable and are benign, such as the common cold. This is why serious and thorough contraindicative diagnosis is required if there is suspicion of maxillary cancer. 

Causes of Maxillary Cancer

As with most cancers, there isn’t a set of specific causes which can be attributed to the cancer cell formation in your body. However, it is known that there are certain risk factors which make it more likely that a person will develop maxillary cancer. These include:

• Age – Kidney cancer is most often found in people over 40.
• Smoking – Smoking cigarettes and cigars doubles the chances of getting a kidney cancer.
• Exposure to chemicals – Nickel dust, mustard gas, thorotrast, isopropyl oil, chromium, and dichlorodiethyl sulfide can all cause the cancer to form. Professionals working with these chemicals (or being exposed to them) should get checked at regular intervals.
• Certain professions – Professionals working in furniture-making industry (because of the saw dust), the leather industry, and the textile industry are highly susceptible to this type of cancer.
• Viral infections – Some viral infections can also increase the risk of developing maxillary cancer.

You should note that having one of these conditions does not at all guarantee that you will get maxillary cancer, just like not having any of them is not a guarantee that you will stay cancer-free. However, the doctors have concluded that these are the risk factors for this kind of cancer, and those who are within these factors should get checked for maxillary cancer at regular time periods, in order to catch the disease early (if it does develop).

Maxillary Cancer Symptoms

Similar to the other cancer types, maxillary cancer shows little or no symptoms in the early stages. Those symptoms that do show can be easily misdiagnosed for other, less malignant diseases and conditions, which makes it even harder for maxillary cancer to be diagnosed early. As the cancer grows, the symptoms become more prominent and they may include:

• Epistaxis (nose bleeding)
• Nasal obstruction
• Recurrent sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses)
• Cranial neuropathy
• Sinus pain
• Facial paresthesia (tingling, tickling, pricking, numbness or burning on the skin of the face)
• Proptosis (bulging of one or both eyes)
• Double vision
• Asymptomatic neck mass

Maxillary Cancer Treatments

Whenever possible, the primary solution for maxillary cancer is surgery. However, sometimes there are cases of patients being too sick to have surgery or the surgery is otherwise impossible. When this is the case, the doctors recommend other means to destroy or lessen the tumor, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy. The course of action also depends on the stage of cancer, where stages I and II are easier to treat, while stages III and IV require complicated procedures with lessened chances of success.

• Surgery – The common course for treating maxillary cancer through surgery is maxillectomy, or the removal of bone and mucosa of the maxillary sinus. Once the surgery has been done, depending on the outcome, the doctors recommend other treatments. Depending on the stage of the cancer, a surgery to remove the lymph nodes in the neck might also be required.
• Radiation – Radiation therapy is the next step after the surgery, in cases where the doctors deem it necessary, like when the cancer has not been completely removed from the surgery or in case of some specific cancer conditions. Also, some other medical problems may make the surgery impossible, which is when radiation only is prescribed.
• Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy is usually prescribed in combination with radiation therapy in all stages of the cancer. It is used to kill any lingering cancer cells that may have survived surgery and radiation and to ensure that the cancer does not grow back. Sometimes it might be done before the surgery in order to shrink the tumor and make it operable. 

Benefits of Maxillary Cancer Treatments

• Tumor removal
• Focuses on improving the patient’s quality of life in the long-term
• In final cancer stages, it may alleviate some of the symptoms

Cost

The cost for maxillary cancer treatments abroad varies depending on the treatment that is chosen and the country where it is done. For those who wish to travel, it is possible to save anywhere from 30% to 50% when travelling to India, Mexico or Europe for a treatment, as compared to the prices in the US and Canada. These packages can also include hotel stay, care and medical support. 

Doctors

The most important thing to finding a good doctor for maxillary cancer is for them to be specialized and experienced in these kinds of treatments. Look for doctors with both international and national (from the doctor’s country of origin) certifications and accreditations. 

If you would like to know more about Maxillary Cancer Treatments abroad, feel free to contact us!