Aggressive growth and neoplastic potential of odontogenic cysts: with special reference to central epidermoid and mucoepidermoid carcinomas

An aggressive form of odontogenic cyst known as the keratocyst has been reviewed with a report on the findings of 70 new instances. Recurrence after 2 years of followup was found to be 20%. From both a review of the literature and original cases, carcinomatous and ameloblastomatous transformation in odontogenic keratocysts seems to be an extremely rare phenomenon. Alternatively, epidermoid carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma arising centrally within the jaws are often associated with other types of dental cycts. Review of 36 instances of central epidermoid carcinoma has disclosed that 75% were associated with a cyst lining; the 2-year survival rate was found to be 53%. Central mucoepidermoid carcinoma was associated with a dental cyst or impacted tooth in 48% of the cases, and enjoyed a 100% 2-year and 5-year survival; however, 2 patients were recorded alive with disease at 4 months and 10 years, whereas another patient succumbed to disease 14 years postoperatively.