title: Giant ameloblastoma mortality; a consequence of ignorance, poverty and fear.
abstract: Ameloblastoma is a benign tumour of odontogenic origin. Although locally invasive, delay in treatment can lead to severe disfiguring of the facial region. In this report, we present two cases, a man and a woman, of a large ameloblastoma that presented with the typical radiographic features of variably sized radiolucent loculations. Patients presented initially with relatively small tumours but due to fear of surgery, ignorance and possibly poverty, tumour growth became enormous. The female patient died while awaiting consent for surgery and the male patient died at home due to complications closely associated with fear and growth of tumour. Literatures on mortality of ameloblastoma are reviewed. The need for more public enlightenment on the nature and treatment of facial tumours is highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery, Delta State University, Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Nigeria Department of Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Mabel Okiemute
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Etetafia
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Maxillofacial Sugery, Central Hospital, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Andrew Arotuah
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Arisi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, University of Benin, Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Osawe F
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Omoregie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty