Dent al lesions represent about 1% of oral cavity tumors being ameloblastoma the most common one. It is a tumor of epithelial origin that mainly affects the jaw, and less commonly the maxilla. Its clinical presentation is that of an asymptomatic slow-growing tumor. Despite being a benign tumor, it has an invasive behavior with a high rate of recurrence if not treated properly.Objective: To describe the cases of ameloblastoma in a reference department.Methods: Retrospective analysis of 40 cases. The variables analyzed were: age, gender, ethnicity, tumor location, type of treatment, complications and recurrence. Results:The most affected gender was male -21 cases (52.5%); with a predominance of Caucasians -24 cases (60%). The mean age was 35.45 years; the most common location was in the jaw -37 cases (92.5%). Facial asymmetry was the most frequent complaint. Of the 40 cases, 33 were submitted to surgery. Of those submitted to surgery, 24 (72.72%) underwent segmental resection, with recurrence in 4 (12.12%) cases. Conclusion:Ameloblastoma may relapse when treatment is not performed with broad surgical resection of the lesion with wide safety margins. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2012;78(3):38-41. ORIGINAL ARTICLE BJORL

Thyroi d cancer is the most common endocrine cancer, accounting for about 1% of all cancers.Sarcomas, lymphomas and metastases to the thyroid gland are rare and only with a handful of descriptions in the literature.Objective: To describe rare histological types of thyroid cancer found in a reference center.Methods: Medical chart review from admitted patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the period from 1977 to 2010. Demographic, diagnostic, therapeutic and histopathological information were collected.Results: 3,018 records of patients admitted with thyroid disease were reviewed. Among the cases diagnosed with rare tumors there was a predominance of: anaplastic carcinoma: 22 cases (0.7%), followed by 11 cases of medullary carcinoma (0.36%); 2 cases of sarcoma (0.07%), 2 cases of lymphoma (0.07%) and one case of metastatic carcinoid tumor (0.03%). There were more females diagnosed (57%) as well as Caucasians (84%). The most frequent clinical presentation was a palpable thyroid nodule. All patients with lymphoma, sarcoma and anaplastic carcinoma died. Conclusion:Sarcomas, lymphomas and thyroid metastases are uncommon and tend to worse outcomes. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2012;78(4):48-51. ORIGINAL ARTICLE BJORL