The maxillary ameloblastoma: an analysis of 24 cases.

Twenty-four cases of maxillary ameloblastoma from the files of the dental and oral division of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and the US Army Institute of Dental Research were reviewed. Clinical findings showed an average age of 45.6 years, a male-to-female ratio of 2.4:1, and an equal racial distribution between whites and blacks. Eighty-eight percent of the tumors occurred distal to the maxillary canine. A slowly enlarging mass was the primary clinical sign in more than 90% of the cases. Recurrences were seen in eight of the 16 cases on which follow-up information was received. The majority of the tumors had a mixed follicular histologic pattern. Therapy should consist of either surgical block excision or hemimaxillectomy. The surgeon must carefully weigh the potential danger of the neoplasm against the deformity and disability caused by the surgical procedure.