Malignant peripheral ameloblastoma arising from the gingiva: A case report

Ameloblastomas account for 9%-11% of all odontogenic tumors and usually arise from the mandible. Peripherally arising ameloblastomas are exceedingly rare, comprising 1%-2% of all ameloblastomas. We present a case of peripheral ameloblastoma with malignant differentiation in a 72-year-old male patient. The patient underwent a biopsy of the left palatoglossal fold, and histological examination of the specimen demonstrated a well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma in situ with at least superficially invasive growth and features suggestive of peripheral ameloblastic carcinoma. The patient chose radiation therapy as opposed to surgical excision.