Adenoid ameloblastoma revisited: A discursive exploration of its histological dualism, molecular aberrations, and clinical recurrence

Adenoid ameloblastoma (AA) is a rare benign but locally aggressive odontogenic tumor originating from the remnants of the dental lamina or enamel organ. It was newly incorporated into the 2022 WHO classification of odontogenic lesions, standing as the sole novel entity in this update. AA is also regarded as a hybrid tumor because of the combination of histological characteristics observed in both adenomatoid odontogenic tumors and ameloblastoma. Clinically, it presents similarly to other ameloblastoma variants, with patients typically exhibiting a painless, slow-growing jaw swelling. However, this subtype is noted for its more aggressive behavior, including a higher recurrence rate and greater local invasiveness. Histopathologically, AA is distinguished by an intricate arrangement of epithelial islands, cords, and strands, generating a cribriform architectural pattern, with peripheral palisading and central stellate reticulum-like formations. Immunohistochemical profiling reveals the expression of epithelial differentiation markers, including cytokeratins, and proliferative markers such as Ki-67, further corroborating its aggressive phenotype. While its precise etiopathogenesis remains obscure, the unique histological characteristics imply a potentially distinct underlying molecular pathway. Due to its aggressive nature, AA necessitates meticulous clinical and histopathological evaluation and tailored therapeutic strategies to mitigate recurrence risks and optimize patient prognoses. Furthermore, this review integrates histological and molecular insights from recent studies conducted after its inclusion in the updated WHO classification.