A case of desmoplastic ameloblastoma arising in the anterior region of the mandible

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Vol. 47; no. 8; pp. 528 - 531
• Main Authors: GOTO, Hideyuki, KAWANO, Kenji, HIRANO, Kimihiko, KANDA, Toshiro, ARAI, Chiharu, YANAGISAWA, Shigetaka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japanese Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 2001
• Subjects: anterior region of the mandible; desmoplastic ameloblastoma; TGF-β
• ISSN: 0021-5163; 2186-1579
• DOI: 10.5794/jjoms.47.528

A case of desmoplastic ameloblastoma is reported. The patient was a 77-year-old woman, who visited our hospital because of painless expansion of the anterior region of the mandible. Radiograms and CT scans revealed a mixed radiolucent-radiopaque lesion, which was poorly defined and associated with large cystic radiolucent areas. The lesion was excised, followed by the curettage of the underlining intact bone, under general anesthesia. Histologically, the lesion was composed of enamel organ-like tumor nests scattered in prominent fibrous connective tissue. Some tumor nests showed microcyst formation and transition to larger cysts. TGF-β was strongly expressed especially by tumor cells at the periphery of tumor nests, unlike conventional types of ameloblastomas. The postoperative course has been uneventful for 6 months. Clinical and radiographic characteristics of this tumor are discussed.