title: Ameloblastic fibroma: a rare case report with 7-year follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ameloblastic fibroma (AF) is a rare benign odontogenic tumor that usually occurs in the fi two decades of life. It affects adolescents and young adults and is found in the mandible and with a high frequency in the posterior region of this segment. There are rare case reports with a long-term follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of a 6-year-old boy with extensive ameloblastic fibroma in the man ble. Treatment consisted of enucleation and bone curettage, with the preservation of permanent teE adjacent to the tumor. Clinical and radiographic follow-up of the patient over a period of 7 years show no signs of recurrence or malignant transformation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with AF should be under follow-up for prolonged periods of time, even in ca! exhibiting a low proliferation index, because of the potential for recurrence and malignant transformation of this tumor.
authors.forename: Leonardo de Araújo
authors.initials: Lde A
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: Adna Conceição
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.forename: Sandra de Cássia Santana
authors.initials: Sde C
authors.lastname: Sardinha
authors.forename: Arlei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cerqueira
authors.forename: Jean Nunes
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: dos Santos
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009810:Odontoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed