Metastatic mandibular ameloblastoma of the lung ten years after primary resection: A rare case report

Abstract

Ameloblastoma is a rare odontogenic neoplasm of the jaw. It usually behaves as a benign, slow growing tumour of the oral cavity with a high recurrence rate, especially when it is inadequately resected. A small proportion of ameloblastomas metastasize to distant organs, with lungs representing the most common site of metastatic spread. In this report, we present the case of a middle-aged man with two pulmonary nodules and a history of mandibular ameloblastoma excised 10 years prior to this radiological finding. Following resection and histopathological analysis of the lung lesion, a diagnosis of metastatic ameloblastoma was confirmed. No local recurrence of the primary tumour was identified. At 1-year follow-up, the patient had no evidence of local or metastatic disease.

Keywords

• metastatic ameloblastoma
• jaw tumour
• lung metastasis