1994 Volume 43 Issue 3 Pages 479-483
Ameloblastoma is pathologically described as a benign neoplasm. However, wide resection of the jaws has been recommended as the treatment because of its high recurrent incidence.
Recently, marsupialization therapy that had been used for cystic lesion has been tried for the treatment of ameloblastoma. In this report, 8 cases of ameloblastoma were analyzed in pathological and radiographic change after marsupialization therapy. The results were as follows.
1) In radiological examination, the tumor size in 5 cases were reduced. 1 case was not changed after 6 months and has gradually become smaller. 2 cases were enlarged after marsupialization therapy. The clinical effect of marsupialization therapy appeared 6 months after the treatment in effective cases. These cases have become smaller than their original size for 12 months.
2) In pathological examination, the histological type of the tumor revealed changed and unchanged types after the treatment.
Thus we concluded as follows. When ameloblastoma was treated by marsupialization therapy, the effect of treatment should be judged 6 months after the treatment. In case of no effect of the marsupialization therapy, the radical resection of the tumor should be immediately planned. If the effect of marsupialization therapy was observed after 6 months, marsupialization therapy should be continued for 12 months longer.
