Race is a Contributing Factor to Clinico-Pathological Characteristics of Ameloblastoma at a Multi-Network Academic Hospital System

Ameloblastoma is an odontogenic tumor with an aggressive growth pattern and high recurrence rate. Impact of race and geographic location on clinico-pathological characteristics of ameloblastoma is unclear. The study objective was to assess race-dependent clinico-pathological characteristics and treatment approaches for ameloblastoma at a hospital network of an academic institution located in a racially diverse metropolitan city. Retrospective analysis of ameloblastoma patient records spanning 15 years from 2009 to 2024 was performed. Data extracted included patient demographic profile, clinical, radiologic, histologic, and treatment information. Data analysis assessed the association between race, clinical, histological, and radiological features of ameloblastoma, as well as treatment approaches. Median age of a total of 64 ameloblastoma patients was 44 years. African American patients were significantly younger, under 21 years of age, than non-African American patients (p = 0.004). Mandible, especially posterior region, was the most affected anatomic site (78.1%). Conventional ameloblastoma (72.3%) was the most common histologic type, but unicystic ameloblastoma was the most common in young individuals (p = 0.004) and African Americans. Jaw resection with reconstruction was the primary modality of treatment (75.4%), especially for conventional type, while most unicystic lesions were treated by enucleation and curettage. Ameloblastoma tumor volume was relatively larger in the following groups: males, African Americans, young patients, conventional histologic type, and unilocular radiographic lesions, which directly guided the decision to treat by surgical resection (p = 0.0001). There were no significant racial differences in presentation-time-to-treatment. Ameloblastoma developed at a young age, grew faster and larger in African American patients. Presentation-time-to-treatment and management approaches were not influenced by race.