Dentinogenic Ghost Cell Tumors

Abstract

Calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) was first described by Gorlin et al in 1962 1 Gorlin R.J. Pindborg J.J. Clausen F.P. et al. The calcifying odontogenic cyst: A possible analogue of the cutaneous calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1962; 15: 1235 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (267) Google Scholar and defined by WHO 2 Kamijo R. Miyaoka K. Tachikawa T. et al. Odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma: Report of a case. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1999; 57: 1266 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (14) Google Scholar in 1971 as “a cystic lesion in which the epithelial lining shows a well-defined basal layer of columnar cells, an overlying layer that is often many cells thick and that may resemble stellate reticulum, and masses of ghost epithelial cells that may be in the epithelial cyst lining or in the fibrous capsule.” Calcifying odontogenic cyst has the features of a cyst primarily, but it also has some characteristics of a solid neoplasm. The solid variant of COC was called calcifying ghost cell odontogenic tumor formerly. The nomenclature of this tumor was changed to dentinogenic ghost cell tumor (DGCT) at 2005 World Health Organization (WHO) histologic classification of odontogenic tumors. 3 Barnes L. Eveson J. Reichart P. et al. WHO classification of tumors: Pathology and genetics of tumors of the head and neck. Oxford University Press, Lyon, France2005 Google Scholar On rare occasions, the lesion may even transform into carcinoma. 4 Lin C.C. Chen C.H. Lin L.M. et al. Calcifying odontogenic cyst with ameloblastic fibroma: Report of three cases. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2004; 98: 451 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (23) Google Scholar This report describes a case of DGCT that occurred in the maxilla of a 20-year-old female.