title: Ameloblastoma: current etiopathological concepts and management.
abstract: Ameloblastoma is a benign odontogenic tumor of epithelial origin. It is locally aggressive with unlimited growth capacity and has a high potential for malignant transformation as well as metastasis. Ameloblastoma has no established preventive measures although majority of patients are between ages 30 and 60 years. Molecular and genetic factors that promote oncogenic transformation of odontogenic epithelium to ameloblastoma are strongly linked to dysregulation of multiple genes associated with mitogen-activated protein kinase, sonic hedgehog, and WNT/β-catenin signaling pathways. Treatment of ameloblastoma is focused on surgical resection with a wide margin of normal tissue because of its high propensity for locoregional invasion; but this is often associated with significant patient morbidity. The relatively high recurrence rate of ameloblastoma is influenced by the type of molecular etiological factors, the management approach, and how early the patient presents for treatment. It is expected that further elucidation of molecular factors that orchestrate pathogenesis and recurrence of ameloblastoma will lead to new diagnostic markers and targeted drug therapies for ameloblastoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology/Biology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Effiom
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology/Biology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Ogundana
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology/Biology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Akinshipo
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: S O
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3090-1374
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Akintoye
mesh_terms: D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
keywords: ameloblastoma; etiopathogenesis; histopathogenesis; jaw; targeted therapies