Ameloblastic Carcinoma: A Rare Malignant Tumour in Maxillofacial Region

Ameloblastic carcinoma (AC) is a rare malignant odontogenic tumor with poor prognosis. It has an aggressive clinical course with extensive local destruction. It occurs primarily in the mandible. It may clinically present as a cystic lesion with benign clinical feature or as a large mass with ulceration, significant bone resorption and mobility of teeth in the affected region. Reliable evidence of it's biological activity along with extensive local destruction, direct extension of tumor, lymph node involvement and metastasis to various sites (frequently lung) have been reported. Wide local excision is the treatment of choice along with regional lymph node dissection. Because of recurrence close periodic assessment of the patient is advocated. The authors discussed a rare case of AC of mandible; with metastasis to regional lymph nodes in a 45 year old male along with a long-term follow up.