Ameloblastic carcinoma, primary type: case report, immunohistochemical analysis and literature review

Ameloblastic carcinoma (AC) is a rare malignant odontogenic neoplasm with scarce reported cases in the literature and it can be confused with benign ameloblastoma (AM). This study reports a case of AC, and presents a literature review of AC classified into primary type (ACPt) or secondary type (ACSt) by the World Health Organization (WHO). The review addressed 31 cases published in the English literature between the years 2005 and 2011. The majority of cases were ACSt. The mandible was the most common site of occurrence for both AC types. All patients who died of their disease had ACSt. Tumors with plexiform pattern, hyperchromatism, mitosis and necrosis were associated with a higher ratio of histories of recurrence and death by disease, as well as the tumors with clear cells, especially in the ACSt. ACSt appeared to correlate with recurrence and mortality. The histological features may have different prognostic importance depending on the AC type.