A 44-year analysis of ghost cell odontogenic tumour subtypes in an Iranian population

Dentinogenic ghost cell tumor treated with a combination of marsupialization and radical resection: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Dentinogenic ghost cell tumor is a rare benign tumor that accounts for less than 3% of all cases and consists of the stellate reticulum, which is made up of enamel epithelioid and basaloid cells. Although DGCT is a benign tumor, the local infiltration of the odontogenic epithelium or recurrences have been reported, and its detailed pathology and treatments remain unclear.

CASE PRESENTATION

This report describes the case of a 60-year-old Japanese male diagnosed with a maxillary dentinogenic ghost cell tumor. Images showed well-circumscribed, multilocular cystic lesions with a calcified substance in the interior. Marsupialization was performed along with biopsy to prevent the expansion of the lesion, and a partial maxillectomy was performed 2 years after the initial examination. Histopathological findings showed ameloblastomatous proliferation containing clusters of ghost cells and dentinoid materials, resulting in the diagnosis of dentinogenic ghost cell tumor. This article also reviews recently reported cases of dentinogenic ghost cell tumor.

CONCLUSION

It is important to perform marsupialization, proper resection, and postoperative follow-up because of possible recurrence.

Calcifying odontogenic cysts: A 20-year retrospective clinical and radiological review

OBJECTIVE

Calcifying odontogenic cysts (COCs) exhibit diverse clinical behaviours and may be associated with other benign odontogenic tumours. In this study, the clinical and radiological features of COCs were analysed according to subtypes based on the classification by Praetorius et al. Emphasis was placed on cases exhibiting atypical or aggressive radiological appearances. This information may assist the clinician to better understand the radiological spectrum of COCs.

METHODS

Histologically confirmed cases of COCs were retrospectively reviewed in a 20-year period from three tertiary institutions. The following clinical information was reviewed: patient demographics, main complaint, clinical duration, anatomical site and detailed radiological features.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven cases of COCs were included in the study. Asymptomatic swelling was the main clinical presentation with infrequent reports of associated pain. COCs had an anterior mandibular predilection. Well-demarcated borders were seen in all cases with isolated cases showing focal areas with loss of demarcation. Unilocular lesions were more common than multilocular variants. Internal calcifications were frequent and six cases presented with associated odontomas. Maxillary COCs resulted in the displacement of the maxillary sinus and/or nasal cavity walls. Radiological signs of aggression, including cortical destruction, were noted in a few cases.

CONCLUSION

Given the fact that COCs can present with a spectrum of clinical behaviours and radiological presentations, the academic debate regarding the cystic versus neoplastic nature of the entity is justifiable. The cases in the current sample presented with diverse presentations, ranging from indolent to lesions with significant growth and aggression.

Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma arising in the background of a calcifying odontogenic cyst

Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma (GCOC) is a rare malignant neoplasm, representing 3% of all ghost cell lesions of the jaws. They can arise de novo or from a pre-existing calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) or dentinogenic ghost cell tumour (DGCT). A systematic review of the literature reported only 12 cases of a GCOC arising from a pre-existing COC. This report highlights an additional case of a GCOC arising from a pre-existing COC after 3 years in an adolescent male. The patient initially presented with a painless swelling of the right mandibular corpus. Panoramic radiographic examination showed an expansive unilocular radiolucent lesion. After 3 years, the radiographic features appeared more aggressive with increased expansion and cortical perforation. A wide surgical resection was performed, whereby the lesion was diagnosed as a GCOC. Due to the rarity of these malignant neoplasms, limited information is available regarding their biological behaviour. One-year follow-up revealed no clinical signs of recurrence.

Peripheral dentinogenic ghost cell tumor of the ethmoid sinus: A case report

RATIONALE

The dentinogenic ghost cell tumor (DGCT), a locally invasive benign neoplasm, is one of the rarest odontogenic tumors, usually developing in the maxilla or mandible. It can be classified into 2 types: intraosseous (central) and extraosseous (peripheral). Here, we describe the first case of a peripheral DGCT located in the ethmoid sinus.

PATIENT CONCERNS

An 8-year-old boy presented to our department with a longer than 7-month history of nasal obstruction, purulent secretion, and reduction in sense of smell in the right nasal cavity.

DIAGNOSIS

The patient was diagnosed with peripheral DGCT of the ethmoid sinus based on computed tomography scan and pathology.

INTERVENTIONS

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery was performed.

OUTCOMES

With 2 years of follow-up, there was no evidence of recurrence.

LESSONS

Peripheral DGCT can occur in the paranasal sinus and the need to consider this entity as a possible diagnosis by the clinicians.

Expression of CD34 and CD31 in Central and Peripheral Giant Cell Granulomas

Statement of the Problem:

There are some differences between clinical features of central giant cell granulomas (CGCGs) and peripheral giant cell granulomas (CGCGs) despite their same microscopic features. The possible role of angiogenesis in this issue is still a matter of debate.

Purpose:

The aim of the present study was to compare microvessel density (MVD) between CGCGs and PGCGs of the oral cavity using CD31 and CD34.

Materials and Method:

Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 18 PGCGs and 19 CGCGs using a monoclonal antibody against CD34 and CD31. MVD was assessed and compared between the lesions using t-test for statistical analysis. p< 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

The expression levels of both CD34 and CD31 were significantly higher in CGCGs compared to PGCGs (p< 0.002 and p< 0.001, respectively). Significant differences in MVD assessed by both markers were observed between males and females in PGCGs (p< 0.05), but not CGCGs (p< 0.2).

Conclusion:

The combined evaluation of old- and newly-formed vessels by pan-endothelial cell markers showed differences between CGCGs and PGCGs, supporting the possible vascular-proliferative nature of the former. Whether this difference has a part in their diverse biologic behaviors and the role which pre-existent vessels play in comparison to neo-formed vasculature, requires further investigation.

Calcifying odontogenic cyst, dentinogenic ghost cell tumor, and ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to integrate the available data published on calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC), dentinogenic ghost cell tumor (DGCT), and ghost cell odontogenic carcinomas (GCOCs) into a comprehensive analysis of their clinicoradiological features, treatment, and recurrence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An electronic search with no publication date restriction was undertaken in October 2017 in the following databases: PubMed, Medline Ovid, Web of Science, and Scopus. Eligibility criteria included publications containing enough clinical, radiological, and histopathological information to confirm a definite diagnosis of these lesions. Data were evaluated descriptively.

RESULTS

The literature review indicated a total of 234 publications reporting 367 COCs, 55 DGCTs and 44 GCOCs. These lesions have a predilection for Asian males. COCs mainly affect the mandible and patients in the second decade of life, DGCTs mostly affect the mandible and patients in the fourth decade of life, and GCOCs mostly affect the maxilla and patients in the fifth decade of life.

CONCLUSION

Conservative surgery was the most common therapy for COCs and DGCTs, while radical surgery was most common for GCOCs. This study provides important and interesting data that could help clinicians and surgeons as well as oral and maxillofacial pathologists with the diagnosis and management of these lesions.

Is podoplanin expression associated with transforming growth factor-β signaling in odontogenic cysts and tumors?

BACKGROUND

Induction of podoplanin by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has been shown in a number of lesions but not in odontogenic tumors (OTs). We evaluated the association between these markers in OTs for the first time and compared their expression among the different neoplasms.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody against podoplanin and TGF-β was performed on 76 odontogenic cysts and tumors. Spearman's correlation coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U tests followed by adjustment with Bonferroni were used for statistical analysis (P < .05).

RESULTS

A significant difference in podoplanin expression was found among the lesions consisting of solid ameloblastomas, adenomatoid odontogenic tumors, ameloblastic fibromas, odontogenic myxomas (OMs), odontogenic keratocysts, and calcifying odontogenic cysts. Significant differences were observed only between OMs and each of the other neoplasms. Podoplanin immunostaining in the connective tissue was absent in most lesions. TGF-β was significantly different among the study sample but not between the lesions in paired comparisons. None of the studied OTs showed significant correlations between podoplanin-TGF-β, in either the epithelium or the stroma. These markers were also descriptively reported in calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

The inductive effect of TGF-β on podoplanin seems to be limited, if any, in odontogenic lesions. Podoplanin appears to play a role in some aspects of OTs with epithelial or mixed origins. Despite the possible participation of podoplanin in tumorigenesis, it may not necessarily be involved in the aggressive behavior of OTs.

Peripheral calcifying cystic odontogenic tumour and peripheral dentinogenic ghost cell tumour: an updated systematic review of 117 cases reported in the literature

PURPOSE

To integrate the available data published on peripheral calcifying cystic odontogenic tumour (CCOT) and peripheral dentinogenic ghost cell tumour (DGCT) into a comprehensive analysis of its clinical and radiologic features.

METHODS

An electronic search was undertaken in May, 2016. Eligibility criteria included publications reporting cases of peripheral CCOTs/DGCTs having enough clinical, radiological and histological information to confirm a definite diagnosis. Demographic data, lesion site and size, treatment approach and recurrence were analyzed.

RESULTS

Hundred and thirty-eight lesions were found (65 publications), and 117 lesions (63 publications) with enough information were analyzed (55 CCOTs, 50 DGCTs, 12 unknown). Mean age of patients was 51.3 ± 23.4 (min-max, 1-92), with higher mean age for the DGCTs variant. The lesions were more prevalent in the mandible, anterior region of the jaws, and in the second, sixth and eighth decades, with an equal sexual distribution. About 20% of all lesions showed signs of erosion of the underlying bone, with a higher rate for DGCTs. The mean lesion size was 1.3 ± 0.8 (min-max, 0.4-3.0). Time of follow-up was informed for 37 lesions, with a mean ± SD of 30.2 ± 21.0 months (min-max, 6-84). Almost all lesions were treated by conservative surgery; only three recurrences were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Peripheral CCOTs/DGCTs are rare lesions. Most of the lesions were treated by simple excision with or without curettage of the underlying bone. As the recurrence rate is very low, a conservative approach seems to be enough for the great majority of cases.

Dentinogenic ghost cell tumor

Dentinogenic ghost cell tumor (DGCT) is a rare, odontogenic neoplasm which is considered to be a solid variant of calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) with locally aggressive behavior. It accounts for only 2–14% of all COCs. To the best of our knowledge, only 88 cases of DGCT have been reported in the literature from 1968 to 2014. Herewith, we report a case of DGCT in a 68-year-old male patient with clinical presentation as a soft tissue growth over alveolar ridge and histopathologically characterized by ameloblastomatous epithelium, abundance of eosinophilic material and ghost cells.

Central Dentinogenic Ghost Cell Tumor: An Update on a Rare Aggressive Odontogenic Tumor

PURPOSE

Dentinogenic ghost cell tumor (DGCT) is a very rare odontogenic lesion, with most knowledge based on single case reports. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis was performed of the clinical and radiologic features of reported cases of DGCT with an emphasis on treatment modalities.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a case series of DGCTs collected from the literature after a systematic search of Medline's PubMed and Google Scholar. Three additional cases were included from the authors' files. Demographic data of the patients, lesion site and size, and radiologic features were analyzed. Treatment approach and events of recurrence were recorded.

RESULTS

Forty-five cases (42 from the literature) were included. The mean age of patients was 39.7 ± 19.3 years (range, 12 to 79 yr) and the male-to-female ratio was 1.8:1. The mandible-to-maxilla ratio was 1.14:1, with the posterior region of the jaws being the most commonly involved site. Radiographically, 78% lesions were unilocular, 67% were mixed radiolucent and radiopaque, and 68% had well-defined borders. The mean lesion size was 4.0 cm (range, 1.8 to 13.0 cm). The primary treatment for 21 patients was conservative surgery consisting of enucleation or curettage. Follow-up information for longer than 1 year (mean, 6.2 ± 8.3 yr; range, 1 to 31 yr) was known for 15 patients, of whom 11 (73%) had recurrences. The primary treatment in 19 patients was radical surgery consisting of marginal or segmental resection. Follow-up information for longer than 1 year (mean, 3.3 ± 2.6 yr; range, 1 to 10 yr) was known for 12 patients, of whom 4 (33%) had recurrences.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlighted the potentially aggressive biological behavior of DGCTs that demands extensive surgery and long follow-up. However, owing to the rarity of DGCT, more well-documented cases with long follow-up periods are needed to further define the optimal treatment modalities and prognosis.

A Peripheral Dentinogenic Ghost Cell Tumor With Immunohistochemical Investigations and a Literature Review-Based Clinicopathological Comparison Between Peripheral and Central Variants

The aim of the study was to present a peripheral dentinogenic ghost cell tumor (DGCT) and to describe clinicopathological differences between peripheral and central variants of the tumor using a selected literature review. The case report is based on a swelling present on the alveolar ridge of a 74-year-old edentulous denture wearer. The lesion was diagnosed as a peripheral DGCT after excluding the presence of a central lesion. Immunohistochemical investigations revealed similar cytokeratin expression pattern, with CK14 and MNF116 positivity in both the tumor and the surrounding surface epithelium. However, in contrast, CK19 expression was restricted to less than 5% of the tumor cells. A clinicopathological comparison was compiled using 30 cases of peripheral DGCTs (including the present lesion) and 16 cases of central DGCTs published over a period of 40 years. Accordingly, peripheral lesions were more often found in elderly denture wearers, in relation to mandibular gingiva and alveolar mucosa. None of the lesions had recurred after excision. In contrast, majority of the central lesions were common in younger individuals and showed a striking male predilection. It occurred equally on both jaws, while approximately 50% of the lesions gave rise to recurrences. In conclusion, similar cytokeratin expression in both the tumor and surface epithelium can be used to support oral surface epithelial origin, while CK14 positivity confirms the odontogenic derivation of the peripheral DGCT described in the report. In contrast to central DGCT, the peripheral DGCT is a distinct lesion with characteristic clinicopathological profile and nonaggressive behavior.