Amyloidosis of the oral cavity: report of five cases.

Five cases of amyloidosis involving structures in the oral cavity are reported. Three cases appeared to be secondary systemic amyloidosis, one case was the systemic form associated with multiple myeloma, and one case appeared to represent nodular or localized amyloidosis. All cases appeared in persons over 63 years of age, and the most common area of involvement was the tongue. The nature of so-called amyloid deposits in certain odontogenic tumors is discussed in light of recent knowledge of amelogenins and enamelins.