The word "adamantoblastoma" is a term used in dentistry to describe a rare type of tumor that affects the jaw. Its unusual spelling is due to the combination of Greek roots "adamantos" meaning "diamond" and "blastoma" meaning "tumor." The "a" sound in the first syllable is pronounced as in "cat" while the "o" sound in the second syllable is pronounced as in "go." The word can be transcribed as /ˌædəˈmæntəˌblæstəʊmə/ in IPA phonetic transcription.
Adamantoblastoma is a rare, aggressive, and locally invasive tumor that primarily affects the jawbones. It is classified as a type of odontogenic tumor, originating from the dental tissue known as enamel organ epithelium. The term "adamantoblastoma" is derived from the Greek words "adamas," meaning invincible or unyielding, and "blastoma," which refers to a tumor or mass. This name reflects the aggressive and relentless nature of this tumor.
Characterized by slow growth, adamantoblastoma typically develops during adolescence or early adulthood. It often arises in the mandible, or lower jaw, but can also occur in the maxilla, or upper jaw. This tumor exhibits a locally invasive behavior, meaning it can infiltrate and destroy surrounding tissues, including bone.
Clinically, adamantoblastoma may present as a painless swelling in the affected jaw. Frequently, it causes expansion and deformity of the involved bone, leading to facial asymmetry. Radiographically, it appears as a well-defined, multilocular lesion with mixed radiopaque and radiolucent areas. Microscopically, adamantoblastoma is composed of epithelial cells that form nests, sheets, or irregular islands, embedded in a fibrous connective tissue stroma. These cells display various degrees of differentiation towards enamel-forming cells called ameloblasts.
Due to its locally destructive nature, adamantoblastoma requires aggressive surgical intervention, often involving complete removal of the tumor along with the surrounding unaffected tissue. Recurrence is relatively common, emphasizing the necessity for long-term follow-up and regular dental examinations for individuals affected by this condition.
Overgrowth of the adamantoblast.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "adamantoblastoma" is a medical term used to describe a rare type of jaw tumor known as an "ameloblastoma". The etymology of the term can be broken down as follows:
1. "Adamanto-" comes from the Greek word "adamas", meaning "unconquerable" or "unalterable". It is derived from "a-" (not) and "daman" (to tame, to subdue). "Adamas" is often associated with the hardest substance known at the time, believed to be a reference to diamond or another extremely hard mineral.
2. "-blastoma" is a medical suffix used to denote a type of tumor originating from immature or embryonic cells. It comes from the Greek "blastos", meaning "germ" or "embryo".