Spindle-cell ameloblastic carcinoma of the maxilla with adenoid cystic carcinoma-like areas: A new variant?

Ameloblastic carcinoma is a rare aggressive malignancy of odontogenic epithelial origin. The disease has been reported to afflict people over a wide range of age group without any sex predilection. It is characterized by rapid growth and destruction of overlying bones along with involvement of adjacent soft tissues. The overall prognosis of this cancer is poor despite radical surgery and radiotherapy. Owing to the rarity of this lesion, complete data on the biological behavior and response to different treatment modalities are still lacking. The authors hereby report a case of this uncommon tumor arising from left maxilla in a 60-year-old Indian male. Histopathological examination of the tumor showed foci of spindling intermixed with large areas of tumor cells arranged in cribriform pattern and having luminal eosinophilic material which was reminiscent of adenoid cystic carcinoma. A final diagnosis was achieved after immunohistochemical study. These unusual findings prompted this case report.