Adenoameloblastoma

Synonyms

3

Overview

Adenoameloblastoma is a lesion that is often found in the upper jaw. Some consider it a non-cancerous tumor, others a hamartoma (tumor-like growth) or cyst.  Often, an early sign of the lesion is painless swelling. These tumors are rarely found outside of the jaw.

Symptoms

• Jaw cyst
• Jaw tumor
• Sinus cyst
• Sinus tumor
• Dental cyst
• Dental tumor
• Nose cyst
• Nose tumor
• Eye socket cyst
• Eye socket tumor

Causes

Currently the cause of adenoameloblastoma is not well understood. It may be associated with an interruption in tooth development. These legions tend to occur more commonly in young people (around 20 year-old), and most often in young women. Adenoameloblastomas in the front upper jaw are often associated with an impacted tooth.

Treatment

Treatment may require the removal of the legion as well as the surrounding tissues. Once the treatment is complete, recurrence of the legion is very rare.

The preferred treatment for ameloblastoma is surgical removal of the affected tissue. In an effort to prevent recurrence, a wide margin of healthy tissue should be removed from the area surrounding the tumor. If the tumor does return, surgery can be performed again.

Ameloblastoma rarely becomes malignant. If malignant spread of the tumor occurs, radiation may be recommended. Malignancy is more common in cases that reoccur after surgery.

Resources

• NIH