Ameloblastic carcinoma

Changed by Joachim Feger , 14 Sep 2021

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Ameloblastic carcinomas or malignant ameloblastoma are malignant epithelial odontogenic neoplasms with histologic features ameloblastoma.

Epidemiology

Ameloblastic carcinomasare rare tumours approximately accounting for 1% of jaw tumours 1,2. They have been found in a wide age range and are more common in men 1.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is established histologically.

Clinical presentation

Ameloblastic carcinomas might present with symptoms such as swelling, pain, ulceration, dysphonia, or spasms of the chewing muscles 2,3.

Complications

Ameloblastic carcinomas have the ability to metastasize 1-3.

Pathology

Ameloblastic carcinomas form the malignant counterpart of ameloblastomas 2,3. They might originate anew or transform out of preexisting ameloblastomas or odontogenic cyst 2-4.

Location

The tumoursare more frequently found in the posterior mandible 1,3.

Microscopic appearance

Microscopically, ameloblastic carcinomas are characterised by an ameloblastoma-like appearance with the following histological features 1-4:

  • peripheral columnar cells
  • variably reverse polarity
  • cytological atypia with altered nuclear cytoplasm ratio
  • cellular pleomorphism
  • atypical mitosis
  • neurovascular invasion
  • necrosis
Immunophenotype

Epithelial cells might be positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin on immunohistochemistry and show a high Ki-67 index of more than 11.5% 1.

Radiographic features

Radiographic features have been described as variable 4.

Plain radiograph

Ameloblastic carcinomas have been described as radiolucent but can show focal radiopaque spots 4. They might be unilocular or multilocular 1, with an irregular border and signs of cortical destruction and soft tissue invasion 3.

CT

CT might show an expansile, destructive lesion with soft tissue extension 3. Large tumours might show foci of necrosis 4.

Radiology report

A description of the following features should be included in the radiology report:

  • type location and size of the tumour
  • unilocular/multilocular
  • cortical destruction and soft tissue invasion
  • relation to the adjacent structures and teeth

Treatment and prognosis

Treatment consists of radical excision possibly with additional radiotherapy 1-4. The prognosis is poor. Pulmonary metastases are more common than regional lymph node metastasis and can occur early or late after surgical resection 3,4.

History and etymology

The term ameloblastic carcinoma was first introduced by RP Elazy in 1982 4,5.

Differential diagnosis

The differential diagnosis of ameloblastic carcinomas include the following conditions 1,4:

  • -<p><strong>Ameloblastic carcinomas </strong>or<strong> malignant ameloblastoma </strong>are malignant epithelial odontogenic neoplasms with histologic features <a href="/articles/ameloblastoma">ameloblastoma</a>.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Ameloblastic carcinomas<strong> </strong>are rare tumours approximately accounting for 1% of jaw tumours <sup>1,2</sup>. They have been found in a wide age range and are more common in men <sup>1</sup>.</p><h4>Diagnosis</h4><p>The diagnosis is established histologically.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Ameloblastic carcinomas might present with symptoms such as swelling, pain, ulceration, dysphonia, or spasms of the chewing muscles <sup>2,3</sup>.</p><h5>Complications</h5><p>Ameloblastic carcinomas have the ability to metastasize <sup>1-3</sup>.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Ameloblastic carcinomas form the malignant counterpart of ameloblastomas <sup>2,3</sup>. They might originate anew or transform out of preexisting ameloblastomas or odontogenic cyst <sup>2-4</sup>.</p><h5>Location</h5><p>The tumours<strong> </strong>are more frequently found in the posterior <a title="Mandible" href="/articles/mandible">mandible</a> <sup>1,3</sup>.</p><h5>Microscopic appearance</h5><p>Microscopically, ameloblastic carcinomas are characterised by an ameloblastoma-like appearance with the following histological features <sup>1-4</sup>:</p><ul>
  • +<p><strong>Ameloblastic carcinomas </strong>or<strong> malignant ameloblastoma </strong>are malignant epithelial odontogenic neoplasms with histologic features <a href="/articles/ameloblastoma">ameloblastoma</a>.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Ameloblastic carcinomas<strong> </strong>are rare tumours approximately accounting for 1% of jaw tumours <sup>1,2</sup>. They have been found in a wide age range and are more common in men <sup>1</sup>.</p><h4>Diagnosis</h4><p>The diagnosis is established histologically.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Ameloblastic carcinomas might present with symptoms such as swelling, pain, ulceration, dysphonia, or spasms of the chewing muscles <sup>2,3</sup>.</p><h5>Complications</h5><p>Ameloblastic carcinomas have the ability to metastasize <sup>1-3</sup>.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Ameloblastic carcinomas form the malignant counterpart of ameloblastomas <sup>2,3</sup>. They might originate anew or transform out of preexisting ameloblastomas or odontogenic cyst <sup>2-4</sup>.</p><h5>Location</h5><p>The tumours<strong> </strong>are more frequently found in the posterior <a href="/articles/mandible">mandible</a> <sup>1,3</sup>.</p><h5>Microscopic appearance</h5><p>Microscopically, ameloblastic carcinomas are characterised by an ameloblastoma-like appearance with the following histological features <sup>1-4</sup>:</p><ul>
  • -<li>primary intraosseous carcinoma</li>
  • +<li><a title="Primary intraosseous carcinoma" href="/articles/primary-intraosseous-carcinoma">primary intraosseous carcinoma</a></li>

References changed:

  • 1. Mahmoud S, Amer H, Mohamed S. Primary Ameloblastic Carcinoma: Literature Review with Case Series. Pjp. 2018;69(3):243-53. <a href="https://doi.org/10.5114/pjp.2018.79544">doi:10.5114/pjp.2018.79544</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30509051">Pubmed</a>
  • 2. Siozopoulou V & Vanhoenacker F. World Health Organization Classification of Odontogenic Tumors and Imaging Approach of Jaw Lesions. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2020;24(05):535-48. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1710357">doi:10.1055/s-0040-1710357</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33036041">Pubmed</a>
  • 3. Wright J & Soluk Tekkeşin M. Odontogenic Tumors. Where Are We in 2017? J Istanbul Univ Fac Dent. 2017;51(3 Suppl 1):S10-30. <a href="https://doi.org/10.17096/jiufd.52886">doi:10.17096/jiufd.52886</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29354306">Pubmed</a>
  • 4. Cho B, Jung Y, Hwang J. Ameloblastic Carcinoma of the Mandible: A Case Report. Imaging Sci Dent. 2020;50(4):359. <a href="https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2020.50.4.359">doi:10.5624/isd.2020.50.4.359</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33409146">Pubmed</a>
  • 5. Elzay R. Primary Intraosseous Carcinoma of the Jaws. Review and Update of Odontogenic Carcinomas. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1982;54(3):299-303. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/0030-4220(82)90099-8">doi:10.1016/0030-4220(82)90099-8</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6957827">Pubmed</a>
  • 1. Mahmoud SAM, Amer HW, Mohamed SI. Primary ameloblastic carcinoma: literature review with case series. (2018) Polish journal of pathology : official journal of the Polish Society of Pathologists. 69 (3): 243-253. <a href="https://doi.org/10.5114/pjp.2018.79544">doi:10.5114/pjp.2018.79544</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30509051">Pubmed</a> <span class="ref_v4"></span>
  • 2. Siozopoulou V, Vanhoenacker FM. World Health Organization Classification of Odontogenic Tumors and Imaging Approach of Jaw Lesions. (2020) Seminars in musculoskeletal radiology. 24 (5): 535-548. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1710357">doi:10.1055/s-0040-1710357</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33036041">Pubmed</a> <span class="ref_v4"></span>
  • 3. Wright JM, Soluk Tekkesin M. Odontogenic tumors: where are we in 2017 ?. (2017) Journal of Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry. 51 (3 Suppl 1): S10-S30. <a href="https://doi.org/10.17096/jiufd.52886">doi:10.17096/jiufd.52886</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29354306">Pubmed</a> <span class="ref_v4"></span>
  • 4. Cho BH, Jung YH, Hwang JJ. Ameloblastic carcinoma of the mandible: A case report. (2020) Imaging science in dentistry. 50 (4): 359-363. <a href="https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2020.50.4.359">doi:10.5624/isd.2020.50.4.359</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33409146">Pubmed</a> <span class="ref_v4"></span>
  • 5. Elzay RP. Primary intraosseous carcinoma of the jaws. Review and update of odontogenic carcinomas. (1982) Oral surgery, oral medicine, and oral pathology. 54 (3): 299-303. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/0030-4220(82)90099-8">doi:10.1016/0030-4220(82)90099-8</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6957827">Pubmed</a> <span class="ref_v4"></span>

Tags changed:

  • cases3

Systems changed:

  • Oncology

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