title: A clinico-pathological comparison between mandibular and maxillary ameloblastomas in Sri Lanka.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse the relative prevalence and the clinico-pathological characteristics of mandibular and maxillary ameloblastomas in Sri Lanka.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinico-pathological features of a total of 286 cases of ameloblastomas were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 286 cases, 87.8% (251/286) of ameloblastomas occurred in the mandible, while 10.8% (31/286) occurred in the maxilla indicating a ratio of 8:1. In the mandible, 54% (136/251), 40% (100/251) and 6% (15/251) of tumours and in the maxilla, 23% (7/31), 48% (15/31) and 29% (9/31) of tumours were solid/multicystic ameloblastomas (SMA), unicystic ameloblastomas (UA) and desmoplastic ameloblastomas (DA) respectively. No gender predilection was observed in mandibular or maxillary ameloblastomas. Most of the lesions were observed in 2nd to 5th decade of life (mean age 33.2 years). No differences between mandibular and maxillary ameloblastomas were observed with reference to overall cellularity and mitotic activity. Solid/multicystic and UAs showed a predilection to posterior region, while DAs were frequently found in the anterior region of both jaws. Twenty-one percentage (60/286) of ameloblastomas presented with recurrences, and 94% (34/36) of these recurrences were observed in cases treated conservatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, mandibular ameloblastomas were more prevalent than maxillary ameloblastomas, while no differences were observed in age or gender distribution between the mandibular and maxillary ameloblastomas. However, higher proportion of DAs and UAs was observed in the maxilla compared with some of the other studies. SMA should be treated with resection to prevent recurrences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Kuda Singappulige Niluka
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Darshani Gunawardhana
authors.forename: Primali Rukmal
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Jayasooriya
authors.forename: Inoka Krishanthi
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Rambukewela
authors.forename: Wanninayake Mudiyanselage
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Tilakaratne
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000565:Ameloblasts / Q000473:pathology; D017209:Apoptosis; D002648:Child; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006818:Hyalin; D008297:Male; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008938:Mitosis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult