Treatment of ameloblastoma of the jaws in children

Abstract

In terms of long term cure for this tumour, enucleation has limited benefits. In children however, especially in those afflicted with the unilocular type, enucleation may be used as an interim procedure for the mandible to achieve further growth before carrying out a more appropriate definitive surgery.

Ameloblastoma of the jaws in children: an evaluation of cases seen in a tertiary hospital in South-Eastern Nigeria

“…Arotiba et al 6 , Huang et al 23 and Wenlu et al 28 all reported higher ratio of multicystic types than the unicystic types. On the contrary, Ord et al 2 , Abdulai 29 reported higher number of the unicystic type in their various studies, hence, our finding appeared to differ with the notion that most ameloblastoma in children arises from odontogenic cysts. 2,15 The solid type seen more in the older paediatric age group conformed with the other studies that suggested that this type of tumour is the commonest form found in the African child and resembles the adult variety 2 ,even though it could also be due to the late presentation of these patients.…”

“…This finding is comparable to most African studies where the researchers reported multilocular radiolucency as the commonest radiographic presentation. 6,19,20,21 On the contrary, Huang et al 23 , Khan et al 26 , and Wenlu et al 29 reported unilocular type to be more common. The mandible is the commonest site of presentation of the tumour in this study.…”

“…The common radiographic classification of ameloblastoma in children is unilocular and multilocular. 29 The essence of radiographic assessment in the management of this tumour is that it aids in determining the extent of the lesion thereby assisting the surgeon to achieve a tumour free margin during surgical treatment. It is also very useful in making diagnosis of the tumour.…”

“…This agrees with other studies that reported the preponderance of ameloblastoma in the mandible. 2,6,19,29,30 Of the 28 cases in the mandible, anterior tumours with bilateral extension were the commonest pattern seen. This agrees with that of Olasoji et al 20 who reported that the anterior mandible accounts for a majority of the site of the tumour followed by the body.…”

The molecular and genetic aspects in the pathogenesis and treatment of ameloblastoma

“…[26] In children due to the rapid regeneration potential and increased rate of growth enucleation can be done as an interim procedure to avoid morbidity. [27] The conventional treatment for various forms of ameloblastoma has shown different prognosis depending upon the site, size, age and aggressiveness of the tumor. No defi nitive treatment procedures for individual variants are mentioned in the literature.…”