Clinical features and management of oral and maxillofacial tumors in children

Objective. To clarify the characteristics of oral and maxillofacial tumors in children, we carried out a clinical study of such tumors and reviewed th e relevant procedures for treatment. Study design, Medical records of 105 patients less than 15 years of age who were treated for oral and maxillofacial tumors during the 20 years between 1976 and 1997 were retrieved and analyzed. Results. Of the 105 cases, 102 (97.1%) involved tumors that were benign; on ly 3 patients (2.9%) had tumors that were malignant. With regard to benign soft tissue tumor, the most common type was hemangioma (25/69; 36.2%), the second most common type was papilloma (19/69; 27.5%), and the most common s ite was the tongue. With regard to bone tumor, the most common type was odo ntoma (14/33; 42.4%), the second most common type was ameloblastoma (11/33; 33.3%), and the most common site was the mandible. Most of the odontogenic rumors (25/28; 89.3%) developed in patients more than 6 years of age; thes e tumors may develop after dental crown formation. In each case of benign s oft tissue tumor, resection was performed; 4 of these tumors (2 hemangiomas , 1 lymphangioma, and 1 papilloma) recurred, but after re-resection recurre nce has not been found for more than 3 years. In the cases of benign jawbon e tumor, resection and enucleation were the procedures principally performe d; 3 ameloblastomas recurred after enucleation, but after relatively wide r esection for these recurrent tumors there has been no recurrence for more t han 17 years. With regard to the ameloblastomas, enucleation with preservat ion of the periosteum was effective and bone regeneration occurred rapidly. Conclusions, Most oral and maxillofacial tumors in children are benign. In any case of such benign tumor, including ameloblastoma, minimal surgical tr eatment should be the procedure of first choice.