title: A single cervical lymph node metastasis of malignant ameloblastoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cervical node metastasis of malignant ameloblastoma is extremely rare. Because of its rarity, there is no standard treatment modality in a single lymph node metastasis in malignant ameloblastoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients of malignant ameloblastoma involving a single cervical lymph node metastasis and one new case were reviewed. Neck treatment was classified into neck dissection and simple excision. Local nodal recurrence, distant metastasis and follow-up periods were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight patients were treated with neck dissection (group A) and four patients underwent a simple node excision (group B). Two patients in group A experienced multiple organ metastases such as liver and lung seven months and 13 years after neck dissection respectively. The other patients showed no recurrence and metastasis. In group B, there was no report of a regional neck recurrence and distant metastasis during follow-up of 1-7 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multiple nodes metastasis requires a radical neck dissection; however, simple excision with close follow-up may be used in a single node metastasis in malignant ameloblastoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Yoori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Oral Oncology Clinic, National Cancer Center, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Weon
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: ahnkangmin@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Kang-Min
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ahn
mesh_terms: D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Malignant ameloblastoma; Metastasis; Neck dissection; Neck node; Node excision