Desmoplastic ameloblastoma: analysis of 17 Nigerian cases.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to add to existing knowledge on 90 cases of desmoplastic ameloblastoma (DA) previously reported in the scientific literature and analyze data that could help speculate on its biologic profile.


METHODS
From 330 cases of ameloblastoma (pooled from 573 histologically diagnosed odontogenic tumours) 17 cases of DA were retrieved and analyzed for estimated mean growth rate (EMGR) and histologic variants. EMGR for DA was compared with EMGR for conventional ameloblastoma (CA), as recorded over the same period of 38 years.


RESULTS
Desmoplastic ameloblastoma had predilection for mandible (81.2%), posterior mandible being the most commonly affected, contrary to scientific literature reports of anterior maxillary predilection. Simple DA (88.0%) and DA with osteoplasia (12.0%) were the histologic variants observed. EMGR for DA (0.36 ± 0.44 cm/mo) was significantly less than EMGR (0.71 ± 1.16 cm/mo) for CA (P = .000480).


CONCLUSIONS
This study speculates that DA tends to be less biologically aggressive than CA and has predilection for posterior mandible in Nigerians.
Effiom
Olajumoke Ajibola
OA
Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Biology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.
Odukoya
Onatolu
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult