A Rare Case of Maxillary Ameloblastoma with Pulmonary Metastasis

Low-grade odontogenic epithelial neoplasms, known as ameloblastomas, account for approximately 10% of odontogenic tumors and 1% of all oral malignancies. In rare cases, these tumors may spread to distant locations; if this occurs, they are called metastatic ameloblastomas. This article describes a case of an unusual type of maxillary ameloblastoma with lung metastasis and the challenges of managing it in resource-limited settings. In 2018, a 24-year-old African man presented with a significant swelling on the right side of his face that had persisted for two years. The patient stated that the swelling began in 2016 as a painless nodule around the right cheek and that it grew steadily over time, ultimately leading to a noticeable facial deformity. The swelling spread over the entire right side of the face within a year or so, and it began to hurt. The pain was mild, and it was confined. Metastatic ameloblastoma is a rare tumor that has a slow clinical progression. Metastasis is hard to anticipate, even if the initial lesion is surgically repaired. Since there is no established technique to prevent or identify metastatic ameloblastoma, individuals with ameloblastoma that are detected even years after original resection must have close and ongoing follow-up.