Aim: To study the cellular cannibalism (CC) in the tumor cells of ameloblastoma.
Materials and methods: Hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained sections of ameloblastoma cases (50) were retrieved from the archived specimens and screened for cellular cannibalism (CC) by stellate reticulum-like cells. Further characterization of CC was performed using CD68 and lysozyme antibodies.
Results: CC was observed in 15 (30%) cases [follicular 10 (66.66%), unicystic 3 (20%), and acanthomatous 2 (13.33%)]. In acanthomatous ameloblastoma, the CC was observed in the central metaplastic squamous cells, while in 3 cases of unicystic ameloblastoma, CC was seen in stellate reticulum-like cells of intraluminal (2) and mural proliferations (1). All the 15 cases of ameloblastoma showed a negative expression of CD68 as well as lysozyme.
Conclusion: CC is a new addition to the pathogenesis of ameloblastoma.
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