Ameloblastic carcinoma: an analysis of 14 cases

Abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by Dr Trevor Watts

Abstract

This very rare tumour appears to be treated best with aggressive surgery. This study is another which suggests that the current UK law on tissue removed from patients is extremely unsatisfactory.

Main

Hall JM, Weathers DR et al. Oral Surg 2007; 103: 799–807

From 1902 to 2005, 193 cases of ameloblastoma had documented treatment with retained histological material at a US hospital, and were examined by 3 pathologists who agreed that 14 had features of malignancy. Patients were aged 7 to 75 at diagnosis and 5 had signs and symptoms well before diagnosis.

Recurrence was more frequent in cases diagnosed before 1950, and treatment involved surgery, curettage, electrocautery and irradiation. Recurrence was common and frequent, and 4 out of 6 patients died with the tumour. After 1950, surgery was almost the only treatment, recurrence was less frequent, and only 1 patient died with the tumour after requesting no treatment for the 3rd recurrence.