Ameloblastoma - morphopatological, clinical and paraclinical features

Abstract

Introduction: Prevention, detection and treatment of tumors in all countries have become over the last 15-20 years some of the most pressing problems. Among the jaw bone diseases, as diverse etiology, clinical and morphological manifestations, odontogenic tumors are commonly encountered in clinical care. Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of a common form of odontogenic tumor - ameloblastoma and to highlight its morphopatological, clinical and paraclinical features. Materials and methods: We have analyzed and processed 450 forms of observation! medical records) of the patients treated in the Oncological Institute of Chisinau, during 2000-2011. Out of these - 16 patients were diagnosed with ameloblastoma. We tried to mirror the pathological anatomy, clinical signs, radiography, progression and treatment of the odontogenic tumor - ameloblastoma. Results: Following a statistical analysis for the past 11 years, performed at the Institute of Oncology, we have detected 16 cases of ameloblastoma, showing a higher frequency compared with other odontogenic tumors of the jaws. Ameloblastoma is a benign tumor, locally invasive, found most frequently between ages 20 to 40. Ameloblastomas typically occur as hard painless lesions near the angle of the mandible in the region of the 3rd molar tooth (48 and 38) although they can occur anywhere along the alveolus of the mandible (80%) and maxilla (20%). Although benign, it is a locally aggressive neoplasm with a high rate of recurrence. The tumor has a very slow growth, with no general symptoms, usually are asymptomatic until a swelling is noticed and without metastases, but recurs after incomplete removal. Conclusions: Odontogenic jaw tumors present a difficult and complex issue, which requires extensive studies, in order to make an appropriate treatment. Ameloblastoma is the most common odontogenic tumor, and the analysis results show that the frequency of this type of odontogenic tumors is relatively high, with the most clinical and therapeutic importance of all odontogenic epithelial tumors. World Health Organization data show about 10 million annual primary cancer patients. Moldova is not an exception, showing annually about 8000 patients with various primary sites of cancer process and the “Cancer-National Register” highlights that the indices are growing steadily. Analysis results show that the frequencyof this type of odontogenic tumor is relatively high.