Ameloblastic carcinoma of the mandible manifesting as an infected odontogenic cyst

Ameloblastic carcinoma (AC) is a rare malignant odontogenic tumor. Although most ACs appear to originate de novo, some cases originate from a pre-existing ameloblastoma. This article presents the case of a 69-year-old man with an AC in the left body of the mandible. Radiographically, the lesion resembled an odontogenic cyst surrounding an impacted tooth. While ACs tend to have aggressive features that distinguish them from their benign counterparts, some are more subtle in their presentation. Therefore, it is important that dentists rule out malignancy in lesions that do not display obvious radiographic features.