Epidemiological profile of ameloblastoma at Erasto Gaertner Hospital

Ameloblastoma is the most common benign tumor of odontogenic origin, and represents about 11% of all odontogenic tumors. It is characterized by being locally aggressive and having high recurrence rates. Objective: To evaluate the occurrence of ameloblastoma in the Erasto Gaertner Hospital in patients from 1972 to 2012. In addition, to assess the main treatments, the most prevalent histological variants, the recurrence rate, the anatomical location of the lesion and patient profile. Material and methods: A retrospective study of patients diagnosed with ameloblastoma at the Erasto Gaertner Hospital between the years 1972-2012 was performed. Epidemiological data were collected such as gender, age, race, lesion location, type of surgical procedure, follow-up and recurrence rate; and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 40 patients were selected for the study. The most affected age group was between the third and fifth decade of life, with 19 cases (47.5%), followed by the second and fourth decade, with 14 cases (35%); the sixth decade, with 5 cases (12.5%) and seventh decade with 1 case (2.5%). The patients’ ages ranged from 13 to 66 years, with an average age 34.9 years. The mandible was the most affected site, with 38 cases (95%) of cases, and maxilla had only 2 cases (5%). Thirty-eight patients were treated with radical surgery and 5 patients presented recurrence after 1 year of follow-up. Both cases that occurred in maxilla presented recurrence. Conclusion: Recurrence of ameloblastoma decreases significantly when surgery is performed properly, with wide excision and margin. Combination of full tumor resection and reconstruction was the best approach observed in this study. In addition, we recommend a long period of clinical and radiographic follow-up