MALIGNANT AMELOBLASTOMA - A CASE-REPORT

The cytologic features of malignant ameloblastoma, a rare tumor of the jaw, are described. Fine needle aspiration smears showed high cellula rity, with small basaloid and polygonal epithelial cells with mild to moderate pleomorphism lying singly or in clusters, In Giemsa-stained s mears, pinkish stroma with stellate cells or irregularly shaped nuclei and isolated spindle cells were seen in the background. Histopatholog y of the tumor showed sheets of cells with features of malignancylike atypical mitosis and vascular invasion. The tumor cells stained positi ve for keratin on immunohistochemistry. A review of cytology smears re vealed that the features were sufficiently characteristic of an amelob lastoma, but it was difficult to label the lesion malignant on fine ne edle aspiration cytology.