Pediatric jaw tumors: Our experience

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Oncology
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Pathology

Background:

• Central jaw tumors in pediatric populations are infrequently reported, limiting understanding of their behavior and treatment.
• Limited data exists regarding the specific characteristics and outcomes of pediatric central jaw tumors in certain geographic regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To retrospectively analyze pediatric central jaw tumors encountered at our institute.
• To investigate the site, clinical presentation, and biological behavior of these tumors in children.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of patients under 18 years old diagnosed with intraosseous jaw tumors or tumor-like lesions between 2004 and 2010.
• Inclusion criteria were applied to select relevant cases for analysis.
• Data were systematically collected, categorized, and statistically analyzed.

Main Results:

• Sixty-one cases met the study criteria, with an equal gender distribution.
• Mandibular lesions were more prevalent (2.2:1), as were non-odontogenic lesions (2:1).
• The majority of cases (57/61) were benign, with only 4 malignant conditions; anterior and posterior jaw locations were similarly represented.

Conclusions:

• This study documents the pattern of central jaw tumors in children from a specific region of India.
• Pediatric jaw tumors are less common than adult counterparts, with non-odontogenic types predominating.
• Associated pathologies with impacted teeth in children necessitate increased clinical vigilance.