Controversies in ameloblastoma management: evaluation of decision making, based on a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND: The ameloblastoma management is still challenging to the high recurrence rates and significant morbidity associated with radical treatment. The purpose of this 10-year retrospective study was to analyze the influence of ameloblastoma type and treatment strategy on the long-term outcomes and recurrence rates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The retrospective analyses of 64 histologically-confirmed ameloblastoma cases was performed. The possible risk factors for recurrence and the development of complications were estimated statistically. RESULTS: The treatment strategy applied for this group of patients was the following: thirty-four patients (53.1%) were treated conservatively with enucleation or extended bone curettage. Radical treatment (bone resection) was applied in 30 (46.9%) cases. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 10 years (mean value 4.28 ± 3,26). General recurrence rate consisted 32.8%. This study did not find significant correlations between clinical or histopathological features of the ameloblastoma and the recurrence rate. The only factor that significantly influence recurrence rate was the treatment strategy (41% in conservative treatment vs 15% in radical treatment, p<0.05). Postoperative complications were observed in 42 patients (65.6%) and included face asymmetry and disfigurement (17.2%), temporary paresthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) - 23.4%, permanent paresthesia of IAN - 20.3%, paresis of a marginal branch of the facial nerve - 6.3%, infection 12.5%, and swelling - 20.3%. The complication rates, esthetic and functional deficiency were significantly higher in radically treated patients (p<0.05) CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that higher recurrence rate is associated with conservative treatment for ameloblastoma, while radical treatment leads to an increased number of postoperative complications that affect the patient's quality of life. Key words:Ameloblastoma, ameloblastoma recurrence, odontogenic tumor, oral pathology.