In the columns of Paris Match, this Thursday, December 18, Laëtitia Milot returned to the loss of her first love, Yannis, who died in 2001. Aged only 22, he died of chin cancer. How can we explain the appearance of such a tumor… at such an early age? Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical, tells us more on this subject.
Chin cancer, a rare but very real cancer
In fact, cancers exclusively developed in the bone of the lower jaw, called the mandible, are rare. However, Laëtitia Milot’s first love, Yannis, died of a rare tumor located on the chin.
In 2014, “Yannis’ chin turns red and swells. We then learn that it is a tumor“, the actress confirmed on the sets of the show”The unexpected parenthesis”.
A tumor which was surprising, at only 22 years old, although the young man’s genetic predispositions could constitute an explanatory avenue.
“It is likely a rare bone sarcoma of the jaw or a primary malignant tumor of the mandible, unusual in young adults,” reveals Dr Gérald Kierzek.“In these subjects, the causes often remain idiopathic, without classic risk factors such as tobacco or alcohol, but may involve rare genetic predispositions.”
For her part, Laëtitia Milot, now involved with the Louis Carlesimo association (which accompanies children with cancer on trips), says she is still very saddened and shocked by the loss of her former companion.
“Unconsciously, I am touched by this cause because he left very young and his death will affect me for life,”
she confided.
Chin cancer: how to recognize it?
According to Dr. Gérald Kierzek, several symptoms can reveal the presence of a tumor located in the chin:
- A painless mass or swelling on the chin/jaw;
- Persistent ulcerations;
- Unexplained dental pain;
- Abnormal tooth mobility or trismus (difficulty opening the mouth).
“In young people, rapid facial asymmetry or accompanied by paresthesia (numbness) of the lower lip – signs of nerve invasion – should also be closely monitored. Diagnosis is based on a combination of biopsy, imaging (CT, MRI) and PET scan for staging,” underlines the medical director of True Medical.
What treatments are possible?
If the actress’s former companion seems to have tried everything to cure this cancer (in 2014, he underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and had to undergo an operation), the tumor can sometimes regress thanks to appropriate treatment.
“Treatments include surgery (resection of the tumor with reconstruction of the mandible), radiotherapy and chemotherapy, adapted to the histological type, whether sarcoma or carcinoma. For aggressive cases like the one described, a multimodal approach is recommended, with variable survival: approximately 50 to 70% at 5 years for localized sarcomas,” admits the expert.
Targeted therapies are also beginning to emerge to treat “certain rare forms of sarcomas“, concludes the doctor.