Treatment of Ameloblastoma of the Jaws

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Abstract
Objective: To evaluate treatment of ameloblastoma of the jaws and suggest a more aggressive approach for well-defined cases. Setting: Referral center. Patients: Forty-one patients were treated for ameloblastoma of the jaws. Results: Seventeen patients had a local recurrence; 14 had initial curettage and three had initial resection. Seven patients had two or more recurrences. Eight patients underwent radiotherapy; two died of progressive disease. Conclusions: Ameloblastoma has a high rate of local recurrence if not adequately removed. Segmental resection for the mandible and partial maxillectomy for the maxilla should be the primary treatment; marginal resection is appropriate only for small primary tumors. For multiple recurrences, radiotherapy is effective, and surgery and radiotherapy (50 Gy postoperatively) should be used in selected cases. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995;121:994-996)