Challenging diagnostic cases of peripheral ameloblastoma: a case series.
4 affiliations
- 1Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Department, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- 2School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- 3Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, and Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery, The Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- 4School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
Ameloblastoma is a common neoplasm originating from the odontogenic epithelium and is known for its slow growth, local invasiveness, and benign nature. The 2022 World Health Organization classification divides ameloblastoma into five clinical types: conventional, unicystic, adenoid, metastasizing, and peripheral. Peripheral ameloblastoma (PA), a rare subtype comprising 1-10% of all cases, shares histological features with classic types. PA typically manifests as a painless, solid, exophytic lesion that is often mistaken for other gingival tumors.Case presentation
This report presents three cases of PA, illustrating diagnostic complexities and treatment outcomes. Patient 1 involved a 58-year-old Persian male initially misdiagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, which was later confirmed as PA and successfully excised with no recurrence. Patient 2 was a 42-year-old Persian female initially diagnosed with basaloid squamous cell carcinoma, which was later reclassified as follicular-type PA and effectively excised. Patient 3 described a 59-year-old Persian male with a smoking history initially diagnosed with verrucous carcinoma and later reclassified as ameloblastic carcinoma following radical excision.Conclusion
Accurate histopathological evaluation is crucial for preventing misdiagnosis and ensuring appropriate treatment, as PAs rarely progress to malignant forms. Conservative surgical excision is recommended for benign PAs, whereas more aggressive approaches are necessary for ameloblastic carcinoma.
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BibTeX
@article{aminishakib2026challenging,
title = {{Challenging diagnostic cases of peripheral ameloblastoma: a case series.}},
author = {Pouyan Aminishakib and Sahar Jahanzad and Ata Garajei and Faraz SeyedForootan},
journal = {Journal of medical case reports},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s13256-026-06425-w},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928355},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Challenging diagnostic cases of peripheral ameloblastoma: a case series.
AU - Pouyan Aminishakib
AU - Sahar Jahanzad
AU - Ata Garajei
AU - Faraz SeyedForootan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/29
JO - Journal of medical case reports
DO - 10.1186/s13256-026-06425-w
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928355
AB - Background Ameloblastoma is a common neoplasm originating from the odontogenic epithelium and is known for its slow growth, local invasiveness, and benign nature. The 2022 World Health Organization classification divides ameloblastoma into five clinical types: conventional, unicystic, adenoid, metastasizing, and peripheral. Peripheral ameloblastoma (PA), a rare subtype comprising 1-10% of all cases, shares histological features with classic types. PA typically manifests as a painless, solid, exophytic lesion that is often mistaken for other gingival tumors.Case presentation This report presents three cases of PA, illustrating diagnostic complexities and treatment outcomes. Patient 1 involved a 58-year-old Persian male initially misdiagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, which was later confirmed as PA and successfully excised with no recurrence. Patient 2 was a 42-year-old Persian female initially diagnosed with basaloid squamous cell carcinoma, which was later reclassified as follicular-type PA and effectively excised. Patient 3 described a 59-year-old Persian male with a smoking history initially diagnosed with verrucous carcinoma and later reclassified as ameloblastic carcinoma following radical excision.Conclusion Accurate histopathological evaluation is crucial for preventing misdiagnosis and ensuring appropriate treatment, as PAs rarely progress to malignant forms. Conservative surgical excision is recommended for benign PAs, whereas more aggressive approaches are necessary for ameloblastic carcinoma.
SN - 1752-1947
ER -