Adenoid ameloblastoma: clinicopathologic description of five cases and systematic review of the current knowledge

Abstract

Objective: To describe the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features of five cases of adenoid ameloblastoma.

Study design: Clinicopathologic data were gathered from medical records and compared with those compiled from a systematic review. Slides were also immunohistochemically stained for Ki-67, p16, p53, and cytokeratins (7, 8, 14, 18, and 19).

Results: There were 3 males (60%) and 2 (40%) females. The mean age was 44 ± 10 years. Of the five adenoid ameloblastomas, 4 (80%) occurred in the posterior maxilla. Patients typically complained of asymptomatic swelling. All patients received surgical resection as primary therapy; 1 (20%) patient also received adjuvant radiotherapy. Recurrence was diagnosed in all patients. Immunohistochemically, the tumors stained focally positive for CK7, 8, 14, and 18 and diffusely positive for CK-19, p16, and p53. The mean Ki-67-positive cells were 72.4 ± 24.9 positive cells per high-power field (range 53-111).

Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the largest series of adenoid ameloblastoma reported in the literature. Our data suggest that this entity demonstrates aggressive behavior characterized by a high likelihood of recurrence.