Giant acanthomatous epithelial tumor of the mandible: A rare entity

Abstract

Ameloblastoma is a rare benign odontogenic tumor which arises from the odontogenic epithelium. It usually exhibits a range of histopathologic features, such as follicular, plexiform, acanthomatous, granular, basal cell, and desmoplastic variants, which are well recognized. This study reports a case of giant acanthotic ameloblastoma that developed at the anterior mandible in a 70-year-old male. Radiologically, it was diagnosed as ameloblastoma, benign tumor of the jaw which is rare. Biopsy was taken intra-orally, it was confirmed as acanthomatous ameloblastoma. When extensive squamous metaplasia, often associated with keratin formation occurs in central portions of the epithelial islands of follicular ameloblastoma, the term acanthomatous is sometimes applied.