Ameloblastoma

Ameloblastoma is a rare, slow-growing tumor that develops in your jaw. Ameloblastomas grow from the same type of cell that forms your tooth enamel. About 80% of the time, it develops in your lower jaw in the space behind your back teeth (molars).

Ameloblastomas are benign (noncancerous). But ameloblastomas aren’t benign in the way most people may think of the word, as in harmless. They can grow big enough to change the structure of your jaw or damage your teeth. They can also recur (return) after treatment.

Early treatment and careful monitoring after treatment can prevent an ameloblastoma from damaging your jaw.

Types of ameloblastoma

At first glance through a microscope, all ameloblastoma cells look like tiny honeycombs or soap bubbles. Healthcare providers study the cells closely to classify ameloblastomas into types, including:

Conventional ameloblastoma. Conventional ameloblastomas represent 85% of all ameloblastomas. These tumors grow more quickly than the other types and are likely to spread from your jaw to other nearby areas of your mouth.
Unicystic ameloblastoma. These tumors are less likely to spread beyond your jaw than conventional ameloblastomas.
Peripheral (extraosseous) ameloblastoma. Researchers believe these tumors likely spread to your jaw from your lower gum or soft tissue in your mouth. They grow more slowly than conventional and unicystic ameloblastoma.

Although extremely rare, ameloblastoma can be (or become) malignant. Types include:

Metastasizing ameloblastoma. These tumors look like benign ameloblastoma beneath a microscope. In reality, they’re a form of metastatic cancer. Metastatic cancer spreads from a tumor to other parts of your body. A provider may not know that an ameloblastoma is metastatic until they find that the cancer has spread to your lungs, brain or skin.
Ameloblastic carcinoma. These tumors may start as cancer. Or they may start off as benign ameloblastomas and then become malignant.

How common is ameloblastoma?

Ameloblastomas are one of the most common benign jaw tumors, but they’re still rare overall. Studies estimate that every year, only 1 in 1 million people is diagnosed with ameloblastoma. And only 2% of those people have malignant ameloblastoma.

Anyone can develop ameloblastoma, but the condition is more common in people from ages 30 to 60. Diagnoses are more common in Africa and Asia.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.