[Cysts and tumors of the jaw bone]

The new entities of cysts and odontogenic tumors of the second edition of WHO "Histological Typing of Odontogenic Tumors" (Kramer et al., 1992) are presented. The classification is based on tumor behavior. The benign epithelial odontogenic tumors are classified in relation to tooth development. The malignant odontogenic tumors are subdivided in carcinomas, sarcomas and carcinosarcomas, which are very rare. This international classification has the purpose to make rare cases comparable, so that more detailed knowledge of their characteristics can be achieved. Types of bone tumor that also occur in other parts of the skeleton are not discussed here.