Prognostic evaluation of metastasizing ameloblastoma: A systematic review of reported cases in literature

Time to Recurrence of Ameloblastoma and Associated Factors in a Multi-institutional Black Patient Cohort

Ameloblastoma is a highly recurrent odontogenic neoplasm with variable global distribution. However, impact of race and ethnicity on ameloblastoma recurrence are still unclear. The primary aim of this study was to assess duration of time between primary and recurrent ameloblastomas in a predominantly Black multi-institutional patient cohort and secondarily to determine whether recurrent ameloblastomas are more readily discovered when clinically-symptomatic rather than by radiographic surveillance. A retrospective cross-sectional design was used to evaluate demographic, clinical, and pathological information on recurrent ameloblastomas patients. Outcome variable was time to recurrence, determined as period between the diagnosis of primary and recurrent ameloblastomas. We assessed associations between outcome variable and race, time lapse between primary and recurrent ameloblastomas and clinical symptoms of recurrent ameloblastomas at time of diagnosis. Among 115 recurrent ameloblastomas identified, 90.5% occurred in adults, 91.3% in Blacks, and similarly, 91.3% were conventional ameloblastomas. About 41% affected the posterior mandible. 93.9% were clinically symptomatic at time of presentation while 6.1% non-symptomatic lesions were discovered by routine diagnostic radiology. Median time to presentation of recurrent tumor was significantly longer in females (90 months, p = 0.016) and clinically symptomatic group of ameloblastoma patients (75 months, p = 0.023). Ameloblastoma recurrence was distinctively high in Black patients, occurred faster in males than females and was located mostly in the posterior mandible. Concomitant with delayed access to healthcare of Black individuals, routine post-surgical follow-up is essential because time lag between primary and recurrence tumors was longer in clinically symptomatic ameloblastomas at the time of diagnosis.

Clinico-pathological and prognostic overview of metastasizing ameloblastoma: An overview of the systematic reviews

Background

Metastasizing Ameloblastoma (MA) is an aggressive variant of ameloblastoma (AM) with the ability to metastasize without cytological malignant changes. Thus it aims to comprehensively review the clinico-pathological and prognostic aspects of MA through integration of current literature.

Methods

Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed-MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts and evaluated paper eligibility. AMSTAR2 checklist was used to assessed methodological quality of included systematic reviews (SRs).

Results

From 390 initial papers, 279 underwent eligibility screening, with five systematic reviews (SRs) meeting inclusion criteria. Six hundred sixty-one MA cases were found in five SRs that were included. MA predominantly affects men, exhibits mandible preference, and occurs in individuals in their fourth or fifth decade. Benign metastatic deposits commonly manifest in lungs and lymph nodes. Distant metastasis probability rises with multiple recurrences and incomplete surgical removal. Tumor recurrence and metastasis unfavorably impact clinical outcomes. Quality of evidence assessment was absent across SRs; four SRs were critically low in methodological quality.

Conclusions

AM's metastatic potential lacks predictability. Early/multiple recurrences post-treatment may signal poor prognosis, warranting vigilant follow-up. Methodical analysis of each AM case is imperative to comprehend the metastatic-benign histology relationship.

Effectiveness of Resective Surgery in Complex Ameloblastoma of the Jaws: A Retrospective Multicenter Observational Study

Ameloblastoma is a rare, benign, odontogenic tumor of epithelial origin, characterized by locally aggressive, expansive growth. Treatment is controversial due to the risk of relapse. The aim of this multicenter retrospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness of complete resection in cases of complex ameloblastoma, which is considered at a higher risk of recurrence. Patients who met at least one of these criteria were included: recurrence, soft-tissue involvement, complete erosion of internal/external cortical walls with involvement of the inferior margin of the mandible, and invasion of the maxillary sinus or nasal cavity. Demographic data, tumor site, type of surgery, histological features, and follow-up information were collected for each patient. The cohort included 55 patients with a mean follow-up of 108 ± 66 months. A multivariate logistic model was used to evaluate variables independently associated with relapse. There were six soft-tissue or maxillary sinus relapses, with a recurrence rate of 10.9%. Most of them arose in patients previously treated. The statistical analysis identified the maxillary location as a fundamental relapse risk factor. En bloc resection with large surgical safety margins seemed to be effective in preventing the relapses. However, complete resection was less effective in preventing recurrences in the soft tissues or maxillary sinus.

Expression Profile of Stemness Markers CD138, Nestin and Alpha-SMA in Ameloblastic Tumours

Ameloblastic carcinoma is a rare malignant odontogenic neoplasm with a poor prognosis. It can arise de novo or from a pre-existing ameloblastoma. Research into stemness marker expression in ameloblastic tumours is lacking. This study aimed to explore the immunohistochemical expression of stemness markers nestin, CD138, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) for the characterisation of ameloblastic tumours. Six cases of ameloblastoma and four cases of ameloblastic carcinoma were assessed, including one case of ameloblastic carcinoma arising from desmoplastic ameloblastoma. In all tumour samples, CD138 was positive, whilst alpha-SMA was negative. Nestin was negative in all but one tumour sample. Conversely, the presence or absence of these markers varied in stroma samples. Nestin was observed in one ameloblastic carcinoma stroma sample, whilst CD138 was positive in one ameloblastoma case, one desmoplastic ameloblastoma case, and in two ameloblastic carcinoma stroma samples. Finally, alpha-SMA was found positive only in the desmoplastic ameloblastoma stroma sample. Our results suggest nestin expression to be an indicator for ameloblastic carcinoma, and CD138 and alpha-SMA to be promising biomarkers for the malignant transformation of ameloblastoma. Our data showed that nestin, CD138, and alpha-SMA are novel biomarkers for a better understanding of the origins and behaviour of ameloblastic tumours.

Ameloblastoma: clinical presentation, multidisciplinary management and outcome

We studied 21 patients who underwent radical ameloblastoma excision followed by immediate reconstruction. Comorbidities, consumption of alcohol and/or tobacco and BMI status did not contribute to an unfavorable outcome. Giant ameloblastoma (≥5 cm) and/or tumor involving bony curvatures increased surgical complexity, the incidence of complications and hospital stay.

Pulmonary resection for multiple lung metastasis from ameloblastoma: a rare case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION

Ameloblastoma is a benign odontogenic epithelial neoplasm. Lung metastasis of ameloblastoma is extremely rare, and its biological behavior is still largely unknown. There is no consensus regarding the best method to treat metastasizing ameloblastoma.

CASE PRESENTATION

This report documents a 37-year-old female patient with multiple incidental bilateral pulmonary nodules on computed tomography (CT) and a medical history of ameloblastoma of the left mandible. On admission, her physical examinations and laboratory examinations were unremarkable. The patient underwent partial lobectomy of the middle right and lower right lung nodules via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, and the pathological diagnosis was confirmed as 'metastasizing ameloblastoma.' No adjuvant therapy was administered, and no evidence of progression was observed at the 12-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This is a rare case with multiple lung metastasis from ameloblastoma who was successfully treated with multiple pulmonary resections. The present study indicated that surgery may be considered an appropriate choice for lung metastasis of ameloblastoma.