Abstract

World-wide, ameloblastoma have been discussed in relation and modalities of treatment. In Tanzania, case,s of ameloblastoma are seen but no data is available to quantify the magnitude of the disease within the community. The present study aims at describing the occurrence, sex, age and regional distribution of ameloblastoma cases seem from June 1989 to June 1997 in Tanzania.' The pathology records in the Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, were examined for all cases of oral and maxillofacial tumours occuring over that period. The ameloblastoma cases were analysed for age, sex, anatomical distribution, clinical features, regional distribution and treatment methods. Only cases confirmed by tissue biopsy were included in the study. Out of 384 oral and maxillofacial tumours, 18.2% (70) were ameloblastoma. Males (58.6%) were affected more than
females (41.4%). Most of the ameloblastomas were found in the mandible (97.1 %) in the molar/angle regions (57.1 %) and 20% were in the incisors/canine areas and occurred in the third and fourth decades of life. Fourteen regions out of twenty regions in Tanzania recorded some cases of ameloblastoma, but majority of the cases were from Dar es Salaam (29.6%), Mbeya (18.5%), and Kilimanjaro regions (9.3%). Ameloblastoma in this study occurs predominately in the molar/angle and incisors/canine areas of the mandible with men being more affected than women. Radical excision entailing partial/total mandibulectomy or maxillectomy gave better results.