A metastasising ameloblastoma associated with renal calculi and hypercalcaemia

A young male had an assumed dentigerous cyst marsupialized and later a recurrent ameloblastoma resected. Eleven years later he was admitted with renal stones and hypercalcemia and metastases of the ameloblastoma in the left lung were discovered. Death occurred as a result of spinal and hepatic spread of his tumor and thrombosis of the renal veins. Renal calcification was demonstrated. The possible causes of the hypercalcaemia which was not associated with a raised serum parathormone or affected by parathyroidectomy is discussed.