Ameloblastoma of the maxilla: Report of four cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Ameloblastoma is one of the most common odontogenic tumors in the oral region. It appears as bone resorption in the mandible frequently but rarely in the maxilla.
The authors experienced four cases of ameloblastoma which appeared in the maxilla. Four patients ranged from 25 to 83 years old. 2 cases occurred in males and 2 cases in females. At the first visit, recurrence occurred in 2 cases. In radiological observations, 2 cases were of monocystic type, 1 case polycystic type, and 1 case honeycomb type. In pathological observations, 2 cases were of follicular type, 1 case acanthomatous type, and 1 case plexiform type. They were treated by extirpation and no recurrence occurred during follow up.
Only 59 cases in the maxilla have been reported in our country in the past 60 years. In this study we examine 63 cases including our four cases. The results are summarized as follows:
The patients ranged from 5 to 85 years old, and the mean age was 47.0. There was no significant differences by sex. In the pathological classification, follicular type occupied 41.9%, acanthomatous type 32.3%, plexiform type 9.7%, and basal cell type 9.7%, etc. Recurrence rate was 26.9%.