Metastatic ameloblastoma with postoperative accelerated tumor growth treated with carboplatin and paclitaxel: a case report

Abstract

Ameloblastoma is a histologically benign odontogenic epithelial tumor that rarely metastasizes. However, metastasis to the lungs can occur, usually years after the development of the primary tumor. Here, we present the case of a 63-year-old woman with metastatic ameloblastoma in the lungs that developed 12 years after surgery for the primary lesion. As is typical for metastatic ameloblastomas, the tumor was incidentally found on radiography and surgically removed. However, the tumor exhibited accelerated progression with pleural metastasis after surgical removal, which is unusual in metastatic ameloblastoma. The patient was successfully treated with carboplatin/paclitaxel and showed a partial response to tumor progression, implying that this approach can be safely used in the absence of a standard treatment regimen.