Recurrence of multicystic ameloblastoma in soft tissue

Ameloblastoma is characteristically considered to be a benign but locally aggressive and infiltrative odontogenic tumour with a high recurrence rate. Most recurrences of the solid or multicystic ameloblastoma occurred at the edges of the initial tumour or at the bony cavity left after the excision of a tumour. A case of an isolated soft tissue recurrence of ameloblastoma of the mandible in a 58-year-old man is presented. The report illustrates the need to take into consideration the adjacent soft tissue in cases of tumour with cortical bone perforation during surgical treatment. This is especially important in an environment where patients are not likely to attend follow-up review for a long period. It also demonstrates the ability of intraosseous ameloblastoma to grow in soft tissues.