Odontogenic and oral soft tissue myxomas: clinicopathologic analysis of 16 cases from Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives: Odontogenic myxomas (OMs) are considered slow-growing tumours with the potential for extensive bone destruction, cortical expansion, and a relatively high recurrence rate. We analysed the cases histologically diagnosed as OM in our centre and compared these to the data found in the literature.

Method: A record-based study of OMs histologically diagnosed at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Southwest Nigeria between 1990 and 2009 was conducted. The tumours were classified as myxomas, fibromyxomas or myxofibromas depending on the histologic picture. Gingival masses with similar histologic features but not showing bone involvement were included in the series as soft tissue myxomas.

Results: A total of 16 histologically diagnosed cases were recorded, 11(68.8%) in females and 5 (31.2%) in males giving a male:female ratio of 1:2.2. The most common tumour site was the maxilla (7 cases, 43.8%) and the mean age of the patients at the time of diagnosis was 31.1+/-18.0 years. Myxomas, exhibiting complete myxomatous tissue (8 cases, 50%) with no appreciable fibrous component were the most common histological type.

Conclusion: The peak incidence was in the 2nd decade of life and there was a predilection for females (M:F = 1:2.2) and the maxilla. The recommended treatment of choice is radical surgery or conservative excision depending on tumour size.