Demographic Profile of Biologic Types of Ameloblatoma and Ameloblastic Carcinoma Seen in a Nigerian Population

Abstract

Background- Ameloblastoma is a benign aggressive neoplasm of odontogenic epithelium characterized by local invasiveness, propensity for facial deformity, and a high rate of recurrence. This typical clinical picture characterizes the conventional clinical type. However, slight variations exist with other clinical types. Not all ameloblastoma behave this aggressively and it is important to distinguish between clinical types of ameloblastoma, as well as its clinically and histologically malignant counterpart, ameloblastic carcinoma, to be able to give appropriate diagnosis and treatment to patients.
Aim- The aim of this study is to analyse the demographic characteristics of the biologic types of ameloblastoma, as well as that of ameloblastic carcinoma, mostly seen in a Nigerian tertiary centre.
Methods- H & E sections and formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues of ameloblastoma and ameloblastic carcinoma histologically diagnosed between January 2000 and December 2011 were retrieved. The slides were reviewed for confirmation of histological diagnosis. The ameloblastoma cases were classified according to the 2022 WHO classification of odontogenic tumours into Conventional, Unicystic, and Peripheral biological types. Data was analysed with SPSS version 20.0.
Results- Ameloblastoma is more common in the third decade of life, having a mean age of 32±14.6 years, while ameloblastic carcinoma is more common in the fourth decade of life with median age of 33.5 years. Ameloblastoma is more common in males while ameloblastic carcinoma is more common in females. Of the biological types of ameloblastoma seen, Conventional ameloblastoma is more common than Unicystic type. Whereas the Conventional ameloblastoma peaked in the third decade of life, Unicystic ameloblastoma unusually peaked in the fourth decade of life with a mean of 35.2 (SD± 16.3) years. Mural type is the most common type of Unicystic Ameloblastoma in the series.
Conclusion- The knowledge of the demographic distribution of the biologic types of ameloblastoma, as well as ameloblastic carcinoma, in the Nigerian population is crucial for accurate clinical diagnoses that inform appropriate therapies.