Malignant ameloblastoma: a challenging diagnosis

Autops Case Rep. 2018 Sep 26;8(4):e2018043. doi: 10.4322/acr.2018.043. eCollection 2018 Oct-Dec.

Abstract

Ameloblastoma is an uncommon and locally aggressive, benign, odontogenic tumor, with local recurrence when not adequately excised. A rare variant of this neoplasm with the benign features but accompanied with metastases has been described. This rare variant is malignant ameloblastoma and is known to have a poor prognosis. We present the case of a young woman who had recurrent mandibular tumors, which were resected twice and histologically reported as ameloblastoma. Four years later, she presented with pulmonary metastasis and atelectasis. A review of the literature on this very rare neoplasm was also performed.

Keywords: Ameloblastoma; Mediastinum; Neoplasm Metastasis; Pulmonary Atelectasis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports