The use of radiation therapy in the definitive management of ameloblastic carcinoma: A case report

Publication date: Available online 5 October 2018Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral RadiologyAuthor(s): Takayuki Aoki, Takeshi Akiba, Yusuke Kondo, Masashi Sasaki, Hiroshi Kajiwara, Yoshihide OtaAbstractAlthough rare, ameloblastic carcinoma (AC), is one of the most common malignant tumors that arises from odontogenic epithelium. Evidenced-based medical guidelines for AC are not established because AC is a rare type of cancer. However, surgery for AC is the primary initial treatment modality. A few reports suggest that radiotherapy (RTx) is effective for AC; however, the tumor is generally considered to be radio-resistant. Furthermore, if RTx is performed for AC, osteonecrosis may occur because most of the ACs arise from the jaw. Here, we report a case of an elderly patient with maxillary AC and underlying medical problems who received conventional RTx with good outcomes. Ten years after the treatment, no major adverse event accompanying irradiation, local recurrence, or metastasis was observed. We discuss the therapeutic effect and usefulness of RTx on AC. Based on our findings, RTx for AC might represent a definitive treatment strategy for patients with poor general conditions or those with tumors that cannot be resected completely.
Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology - Category: ENT & OMF Source Type: research