title: Ameloblastic carcinoma of the maxilla: a report of two cases and a review of the literature.
abstract: Ameloblastic carcinoma is a malignant form of ameloblastoma defined by histological evidence of malignancy in primary, recurrent, or metastatic tumor. Such a tumor is rare, and the maxilla is an unusual site. Due to its rarity, the characteristics of this tumor in the maxilla have not been well described. Case 1: A 55-year-old, ill-appearing Nigerian male presented to our center with left maxillary swelling of seven-year duration. The swelling had been slow-growing and painless until one year prior, when the growth became rapid and was coupled with severe pain. The swelling affected both oral function and facial esthetics, and the patient reported difficulty breathing. There was a maxillary, ulcerated swelling extending from teeth 12 to 18 and blocking the left nostril. The involved teeth were moderately mobile. Case 2: A 32-year-old male farmer presented with recurrent right maxillary swelling of six-year duration. Prior to this episode, he had undergone surgery for ameloblastoma (follicular type). The present swelling was fungating through the skin and protruding into the right nostril. Ameloblastic carcinoma is an aggressive odontogenic tumor that requires aggressive surgical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Unit, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4690-0496
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fomete
authors.affiliation: Army Dental Centre, Military Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ezekiel Taiwo
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Adebayo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory, 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Godwin Iko
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Ayuba
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Unit, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Uche Albert
authors.initials: UA
authors.lastname: Okeke
keywords: Ameloblastic; Carcinoma; Maxilla