TUMORS OF TEMPROMANDIBULAR JOINT: BETTER UNDERSTANDING BENIGN AND MALIGNANT JOINT

Tumors of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are extremely rare, and can be either benign or malignant, with most presenting as painless swelling that may cause limited mouth opening;Rarity: Tumors in the TMJ are very uncommon, often mimicking symptoms of TMJ dysfunction making diagnosis challenging.Benign vs. Malignant: While most TMJ tumors are benign, malignant tumors can occur, usually as metastases or extensions from nearby cancers. Common Benign Types: Osteochondroma, chondroma, osteoma, tenosynovial giant cell tumor Symptoms: Facial asymmetry, pain, swelling, limited mouth opening, malocclusion.Treatment: Surgical resection is the primary treatment for both benign and malignant TMJ tumors, with reconstruction often required depending on the tumor size and location.