Ameloblastic carcinoma of lower jaw (case report)

Abstract

The study objective is to report a case of mandibular ameloblastoma.Materials and methods. A 30-year-oldfemale patient presented with swelling of the right mandibular region that appeared 8 months ago and has been slowly increasing. The patient had no other symptoms, such as pain, anesthesia, paresthesia, difficulty swallowing, mouth opening, speech disorders, fever, chills, or weight loss. Orthopantomography revealed pronounced bone resorption in the right portion of the mandibular body. Computed tomography showed a cystic cavity in this area. After incisional biopsy, the patient was diagnosed with ameloblastic carcinoma. We performed segmental mandibular resection and installed a reconstructive plate to restore mandibular integrity. We also performed selective cervical lymph node dissection (levels Ia and Ib).Results. One yearpostoperatively, the results were considered aesthetically and functionally satisfactory.Conclusion. We observed an aggressive disease phenotype with extensive localized bone destruction, typical of ameloblastic carcinoma. Extensive excision of the primary tumor and selective cervical lymph node dissection without radiotherapy ensured a relapse-free period during patient’s follow up.

Keywords

• ameloblastoma
• ameloblastic carcinoma
• mandible
• reconstructive surgery
• cervical lymph node dissection