Ameloblastoma of the jaw. A reappraisal of the role of megavoltage irradiation

Ten patients with ameloblastoma of the jaw were treated with megavoltage irradiation between 1958 and 1982. Seven cases were treated with radiation alone and six responded initially. One patient subsequently recurred and was successfully salvaged surgically. Three patients were treated with combined radiation therapy and surgery. Carefully applied megavoltage irradiation has a useful role in the management of ameloblastoma, particularly in large maxillary tumors with associated destruction of the infrastructure of the maxillary antrum. It is apparent from this series, and from the literature, that the ameloblastoma is not an inherently radioresistant tumor.