Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma of the jaws: Report of two cases and a literature review

Abstract

BACKGROUNDGhost cell odontogenic carcinoma (GCOC) is a rare malignant odontogenic epithelial tumor with features of benign calcifying odontogenic cysts. Herein, we report two new cases of GCOC and systematically review the previous literature.CASE SUMMARYIn case 1, a 46-year-old man complained of painless swelling of the right maxilla for 3 years, with a 1-mo history of hemorrhinia in the right nasal cavity. In case 2, a 72-year-old man was referred to our hospital with a chief complaint of painful swelling of the right mandible. Initially, the preliminary diagnoses were ameloblastomas. Thus, the two patients underwent resection of the tumor under general anesthesia. Finally, immunohistochemical examination confirmed the diagnosis of GCOC. The patient in case 1 was followed for 2 years, with no evidence of recurrence. However, the patient in case 2 was lost to follow-up.CONCLUSIONGCOC is a rare malignant odontogenic epithelial tumor with high recurrence. Local extensive resection is necessary for the definitive treatment of GCOC.

Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma of anterior mandible

“…GCOC can appear as either “ de novo ” or as malignant transformation of a preexisting COC, CCOT, DGCT or other odontogenic tumors. [ 2 4 47 ] A careful patient history and clinical data is mandatory to ensure the origin of GCOC. In literature 28 cases found to be de novo in origin whereas 15 cases had previous history of ghost cell lesion spectrum COC, CCOT or DGCT.…”

“…Two cases reported as GCOC in in literature was avoided from the data as the histopathological features did not show any features of malignancy to be diagnoses as GCOC. [ 2 ]…”

“…[ 1 ] The origin of GCOC is thought to be either de novo (55% cases) or may arise from a preexisting tumor (45% cases) like calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor (CCOT) or from dentinogenic ghost cell tumor (DGCT). [ 2 ] The progression and aggressiveness of GCOT is uncertain as it may vary from a slow growing mass to rapid destructive lesion. It constitutes about 0.37% to 2.1% of all odontogenic tumors.…”

Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma: A case report

“…Approximately 50 cases of GCOC have been described since it was first reported. 7 The first case of GCOC was documented in 1985 by Ikemura et al 6 This tumor originated from a typical COC in which malignant transformation occurred simultaneously in the maxilla. GCOC ischaracterized by an intra-osseous location, with an occurrence of approximately 7% in the head and neck region, andaccounts for about 0.37% of all odontogenic tumors in theoral cavity.…”

“…No research to date has been able to draw definitiveconclusions regarding the effectiveness of adjunctive radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy due to the rarity ofthis tumor. 7 11 The recurrence rate is higher in the maxilla(44%) than in the mandible (38.5%); the 5-year survivalrate has been reported to be about 73%, and distant metastasis is rare, with only 4 reported cases of pulmonary andcranial metastases. 12 This report presents a rare case ofGCOC in the left maxilla of a 43-year-old Thai male patientand describes its clinicopathological features, radiologicalfindings, and the treatment that was performed.…”