AMELOBLASTIC CARCINOMA OF THE MAXILLA IN A YOUNG WOMAN: FROM DIAGNOSIS TO REHABILITATION

A 23-year-old woman was referred with maxillary swelling for a 6-month duration. In her medical history, the patient revealed a surgery for ameloblastoma 8 years earlier. Extraoral examination revealed a swelling over the right side of face, lifting her lip and nose. Intraorally, a firm, reddish, nodular swelling involving the right maxilla was observed. Computed tomography (CT) showed a hypodense image invading the right maxilla, maxillary sinus, and nasal fossa. An incisional biopsy was performed, followed by histopathologic examination and immunohistochemical panel, which led to the diagnosis of ameloblastic carcinoma. The patient underwent a total resection of the lesion and an immediate obturator prosthesis was placed. Four months after the surgery, the patient was rehabilitated with a temporary obturator and no recurrence was detected.