The histologic classification for odontogenic carcinomas is still under revision; thus, the differentiation between the terms "malignant ameloblastoma" and "ameloblastic carcinoma" has not been definitely stated. Nevertheless, it is recommended to reserve the former for those lesions that, in spite of an apparently innocuous histology, have given origin to metastatic growths, and to apply the latter for those ameloblastomas in which there is histologic evidence of malignancy in the primary, recurrent or metastatic lesions. A case of an ameloblastic carcinoma in the mandible is presented. Histologically, it was characterized by areas with features of a typical ameloblastoma and areas with anaplastic appearances.