title: Large unicystic ameloblastoma of the mandible:  management guided by biological behavior.
abstract: Ameloblastoma is a true neoplasm of odontogenic epithelial origin. It is a slow-growing benign tumor of the jaw, and patients usually present late after the tumor achieves considerable size to cause facial disfigurement. Diagnosis mainly from tissue biopsy and radiograph findings does assist in differentiating between types of ameloblastoma. Unicystic ameloblastoma is a tumor with a strong propensity for recurrence. There is a difference in biological behavior between mural unicystic ameloblastoma and those which are simply cystic or show intraluminal proliferation. The challenges in the management of this tumor are to provide complete excision in addition to reconstructing the bony defect, to provide the patient with reasonable cosmetic and functional outcome. The authors report a case of a mural unicystic ameloblastoma in a 23-year-old man who was treated by partial resection of the mandible. Biomedical prototypes were used because they provide acceptable precision and are useful for treatment planning.
authors.affiliation: Araçatuba Dental School, São Paulo State University, Araçatuba, Brazil. wmoraismelo@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Willian Morais
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: De Melo
authors.forename: Darklilson
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pereira-Santos
authors.forename: Celso Koogi
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Sonoda
authors.forename: Sérgio Antônio
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Pereira-Freitas
authors.forename: Walter Leal
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: de Moura
authors.forename: Julio César
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: de Paulo Cravinhos
mesh_terms: D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult