Clinical and radiological features of odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma: review of the literature and report of four new cases.

OBJECTIVES

To analyse systematically the clinical and radiological features of odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma (OGCC).

METHODS

Clinical and radiological features of 22 OGCCs (4 new and 18 from the literature) were analysed.

RESULTS

There were 17 (77%) males and 5 (23%) females (male-to-female ratio of 3.4:1). Ages ranged from 13 years to 72 years (mean 36.7) with a peak in the fourth (40.9%) and fifth (27.3%) decades. The maxilla was involved in 68% and the mandible in 32%. Our study confirmed that OGCC is more prevalent in Asians (12/18) than in other racial groups. The mixed radiolucent and radiopaque lesion pattern was the most frequent (14/19) compared with radiolucent lesions (5/19). 89% (17/19) showed poorly defined borders and 11% (2/19) showed well defined borders. Root resorption was reported in 31% (6/19) of patients and tooth displacements in 21%.

CONCLUSIONS

OGCC demonstrates clinical and radiographic features of a malignant tumour with high recurrence.