Última actualización:
April 06, 2009
Años publicados: 1992, 2004, 2009
NORD gratefully acknowledges Barry Steinberg, MD, DDS, PhD, FACS, Chief, Pediatric Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Director, Craniofacial Disorders Clinic, for assistance in the preparation of this report.
Ameloblastoma is a rare disorder of the jaw involving abnormal tissue growth. The resulting tumors or cysts are usually not malignant (benign) but the tissue growth may be aggressive in the involved area. On occasion, tissue near the jaws, such as around the sinuses and eye sockets, may become involved as well. The tissues involved are most often those that give rise to the teeth so that ameloblastoma may cause facial distortion. Malignancy is uncommon as are metastases, but they do occur.
Ameloblastoma is characterized by an abnormal growth in the sinus area or jaw, often at the site of the third molar. The tumors or cysts may be aggressive and may spread to the nose, eye socket and skull. It is important for ameloblastoma to be diagnosed and treated early in order to stop growth of the tumors and possible progression to cancer. Although it is uncommon, ameloblastomas have been known to become malignant and spread to other parts of the body, especially to the lungs. The initial surgical treatment must be carefully and scrupulously done to avoid recurrence.
Ameloblastomas do not usually become malignant. There is evidence that tissue is more likely to become malignant if the condition reoccurs after surgery.
The cause of ameloblastoma is not understood. Causes may include injury to the mouth or jaw, infections of the teeth or gums, or inflammation of these same areas. Infections by viruses or lack of protein or minerals in the persons diet are also suspected of causing the growth or development of these tumors. In general, however, scientists do not understand the cause of cysts and tumors, nor the reasons why they can become malignant.
Ameloblastoma is a rare disorder that affects males and females in equal numbers. It affects persons of all ethnic backgrounds and of all age groups.
Ameloblastoma can show up either in a regular x-ray or in an MRI imaging study.
Treatment
Surgical removal of the affected tissue is the preferred treatment. A wide margin of healthy tissue should be removed from the treated area to keep the chance of tumor regrowth to a minimum. If the tumor does reoccur, surgery is performed again.
If there is malignant spread of the tumor, radiation is the treatment choice. Chemotherapy is usually not as effective in these cases.
Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government website.
For information about clinical trials being conducted at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:
Tollfree: (800) 411-1222
TTY: (866) 411-1010
Email: [email protected]
For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:
www.centerwatch.com
TEXTBOOKS
Ballenger JJ, ed. Diseases of the Nose, Throat, Ear, Head and Neck. 14th ed. Lea & Febiger, Malvern, PA; 1991:213, 328.
Hicks WL Jr, Myers LL, Winston JS. Rare Pediatric Malignancies of the Head and Neck. In: Raghaven D, Brecher ML, Johnson DH. Textbook of Uncommon Cancer. 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons. New York, NY; 1999:557-61.
REVIEW ARTICLES
Avon SL, McComb J, Clokie C. Ameloblastic carcinoma: case report and literature review. J Can Dent Assoc. 2003;69:573-76.
Dhir K, Sciubba J, Tufano RP. Ameloblastic carcinoma of the maxilla. Oral Oncol. 2003;39:736-41.
Mosqueda-Taylor A, Carlos-Bregni R, Ramirez-Amador V, et al. Odontoameloblastoma. Clinico-pathologic study of three cases and critical review of the literature. Oral Oncol. 2002;38:800-05.
Zwahlen RA, Gratz KW. Maxillary ameloblastomas: a review of the literature and of a 15-year database. J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2002;30:273-79.
Ord RA, Blanchaert RH Jr, Nikitakis NG, et al. Ameloblastoma in children. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2002;60:762-70, 770-1.
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Pillai RS, Ongole R, Ahsan A, et al. Recurrent desmoplastic ameloblastoma of the maxilla: a case report. J Can Dent Assoc. 2004;70:100-104.
Junquera L, Ascani G, Vincente JC, et al. Ameloblastoma revisited. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2003;112:1034-39.
Levin MP, Kratochvil FJ, Nolan J. Ameloblastoma of the mandible: a case report. J Periodontal. 2003;74:883-86.
Campbell D, Jeffrey RR, Wallis F, et al. Metastatic pulmonary ameloblastoma. An unusual case. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2003;41:194-96.
Datta R, Winston JS, Diaz-Reyes G, et al. Ameloblastic carcinoma: report of an aggressive case with multiple bony metastases. Am J Otolaryngol. 2003;24:64-69.
Becelli R, Carboni A, Carulli G, et al. Mandibular ameloblastoma: analysis of surgical treatment carried out in 60 patients between 1977 and 1998. J Craniofac Surg. 2002;13:395-400; 400.
Ciment LM, Ciment AJ. Malignant ameloblastoma metastatic to the lungs 29 years after primary resection: a case report. Chest. 2002;121:1359-61.
Kumamoto H, Ohki K, Ooya K. Association between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and tumor angiogenesis in ameloblastomas. J Oral Pathol Med. 2002;31:28-34.
FROM THE INTERNET
Ameloblastoma. Marquette University School of Dentistry – Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology. nd. 4pp.
www.dental.mu.edu/oralpath/lesions/ameloblastoma/ameloblastoma.htm
Zane RS. Maxillary Ameloblastoma. August 10,1991.
www.bcm.tmc.edu/oto/grand/81091.html
www.icom.ca/geneinfo/amelob.htm
NORD y la Fundación MedicAlert se han asociado en un nuevo programa para brindar protección a pacientes con enfermedades raras en situaciones de emergencia.
Aprende más https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/medicalert-assistance-program/Asegurarse de que los pacientes y los cuidadores estén equipados con las herramientas que necesitan para vivir su mejor vida mientras manejan su condición rara es una parte vital de la misión de NORD.
Aprende más https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/rare-disease-educational-support/Este programa de asistencia, primero en su tipo, está diseñado para los cuidadores de un niño o adulto diagnosticado con un trastorno raro.
Aprende más https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/caregiver-respite/The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) does not endorse the information presented. The content has been gathered in partnership with the MONDO Disease Ontology. Please consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment.
The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) has information and resources for patients, caregivers, and families that may be helpful before and after diagnosis of this condition. GARD is a program of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
View reportOrphanet has a summary about this condition that may include information on the diagnosis, care, and treatment as well as other resources. Some of the information and resources are available in languages other than English. The summary may include medical terms, so we encourage you to share and discuss this information with your doctor. Orphanet is the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research and the Health Programme of the European Union.
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