Ameloblastoma of the maxilla: clinical study

ABSTRACT

Ameloblastoma of the maxilla is an unusual epithelial tumor of odontogenic origin. According to many authors and reports, ameloblastoma account for approximately 1% of all tumors of the jaws, but when pseudo-tumors and cysts are excluded, the ratio rises to 11%. Of these tumors,80% originate in the mandible, while 20% originate in the maxilla. Although it is considered benign histopathologically, it can behave in a slowly growing infiltrative fashion, with multiple recurrences and eventual intracranial, or even distant, spread. We clinically analyzed common site in maxilla, radiographic findings, recurrence rate, duration between treatment and recurrence, the presence and site of distant metastasis in 15 patients who were diagnosed as ameloblastoma of the maxilla and took treatments from 1985 to 1999 in Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental Hospital, Seoul National University. In this paper, treatment outcomes and our clinical experiences of maxillary ameloblastoma are reported with review of literatures.