Ameloblastoma Metastatic to the Lung

Ameloblastoma of the jaws is most often considered by clinicians to be a benign tumor with a distressing tendency for local recurrence. However, as the case presented here demonstrates, even in a patient without the characteristic history of multiple recurrences and operations, ameloblastoma may appear as a metastatic lesion, usually to the lung, many years after treatment of the primary tumor. This case is discussed, and the relevant literature concerning metastatic ameloblastoma is reviewed.