AB163. SOH25_AB_317. Ameloblastomas: a review of surgical versus non-surgical management

Background: Ameloblastomas are benign odontogenic tumours of epithelial origin that develop in both the maxilla and mandible. Despite their slow growth and benign nature, they are locally invasive and carry a risk of malignancy. These tumours represent about 10% of all odontogenic tumours. Historically, the preferred treatment was complete resection with a margin of at least 1 cm, given their invasive nature and high recurrence rates. However, more recently, less invasive approaches, both surgical and non-surgically, are being considered in the management of cases for preservation of vital structures and quality of life. This literature review focuses on the changing trends of ameloblastoma treatment and the efficacy of non-invasive and invasive methods and their rates of recurrence.

Methods: An electronic search was carried out on databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and EMBASE. Inclusion criteria include human studies, ameloblastoma of both maxilla and mandible, as well as surgical and non-surgical treatment. Exclusion criteria include articles published before 1990. The primary outcome was efficacy of treatment, and the secondary outcome was recurrence rates.

Results: Most conservative treatment methods, although effective, had a recurrence rate of at least 21%, ameloblastoma subtype dependent. More radical treatment methods had a reduced recurrence rate but significant impact on the overall wellbeing of patients.

Conclusions: For more extension lesions, less invasive treatment may be seen as a sensible preliminary treatment method to conserve vital structures and patient quality of life. Surgical intervention has a reduced rate of recurrence but significant morbidity. Careful diagnosis, planning, and treatment staging are needed.

Keywords: Ameloblastoma; cyst; multicystic; odontogenic tumour; unicystic