Treatment of ameloblastoma of the jaws.

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 had 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.