Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: ameloblastoma management: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: ameloblastoma management

Sample item

A biopsy confirms a conventional multilocular ameloblastoma of the mandibular body in a 35-year-old. Which treatment gives the lowest recurrence?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Segmental resection with a clear margin of normal bone

Ameloblastoma is locally invasive, with tumour extending beyond the radiographic margin, so wide resection with bone margins is advised for solid or multilocular disease. Curettage has a high recurrence rate.

Option by option

  • A. Radiotherapy alone

    The tumour is relatively radioresistant, so radiotherapy is not first line.

  • B. Segmental resection with a clear margin of normal bone (correct)

    Correct. Margin resection is standard for conventional ameloblastoma.

  • C. Enucleation with chemical cautery

    Enucleation with cautery is inadequate for a multilocular lesion.

  • D. Curettage alone

    Curettage leaves tumour in the trabecular bone and often recurs.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is B, Segmental resection with a clear margin of normal bone. Ameloblastoma is locally invasive, with tumour extending beyond the radiographic margin, so wide resection with bone margins is advised for solid or multilocular disease.

Why is "Radiotherapy alone" not the answer?

The tumour is relatively radioresistant, so radiotherapy is not first line.

Why is "Enucleation with chemical cautery" not the answer?

Enucleation with cautery is inadequate for a multilocular lesion.

Why is "Curettage alone" not the answer?

Curettage leaves tumour in the trabecular bone and often recurs.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: ameloblastoma management in Dentistry. Curettage has a high recurrence rate.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: ameloblastoma management?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.