The lesions appear as masses that are friable and ulcerated. Many amyloid-producing odontogenic tumours are melanotic which makes them difficult to distinguish from the more aggressive malignant melanoma. They can erode but not infiltrate adjacent bone.
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==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
Line 21:
Line 22:
===Diagnostic Imaging===
===Diagnostic Imaging===
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Skull radiography may show a soft tissue opacity in the area of the gingiva with lytic invasion of the underlying alveolar bone. If a malignant neoplasm is a dignostic possibility, thoracic radiography should be carried out to evaluate for lung metastases.
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Skull radiography may show a soft tissue opacity with mineralization within the mass. Periosteal reaction of the adjacent bone may be visualised. If a malignant neoplasm is a dignostic possibility, thoracic radiography should be carried out to evaluate for lung metastases.
===Biopsy===
===Biopsy===
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Required for a definitive diagnosis
Required for a definitive diagnosis
*Incisional Biopsy - best
*Incisional Biopsy - best
*Cytological or grab procedures - difficult to obtain a representative sample
*Cytological or grab procedures - difficult to obtain a representative sample
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Histologically, the tumour appears to be well demarcated from the surrounding tissue but is not encapsulated.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
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*
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*Surgical excision with narrow margins is normally sufficient.
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*Radiation therapy should be considered in cases of incomplete surgical excision.
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==Prognosis==
==Prognosis==
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Good following complete surgical excision.
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*Good following complete surgical excision.
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*Recurrance following incomplete surgical excision is possible.