Calcifying odontogenic cyst, dentinogenic ghost cell tumor, and ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma: A systematic review

The aim of this study was to integrate the available data published on calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC), dentinogenic ghost cell tumor (DGCT), and ghost cell odontogenic carcinomas (GCOCs) into a comprehensive analysis of their clinicoradiological features, treatment, and recurrence.

An electronic search with no publication date restriction was undertaken in October 2017 in the following databases: PubMed, Medline Ovid, Web of Science, and Scopus. Eligibility criteria included publications containing enough clinical, radiological, and histopathological information to confirm a definite diagnosis of these lesions. Data were evaluated descriptively.

The literature review indicated a total of 234 publications reporting 367 COCs, 55 DGCTs and 44 GCOCs. These lesions have a predilection for Asian males. COCs mainly affect the mandible and patients in the second decade of life, DGCTs mostly affect the mandible and patients in the fourth decade of life, and GCOCs mostly affect the maxilla and patients in the fifth decade of life.

Conservative surgery was the most common therapy for COCs and DGCTs, while radical surgery was most common for GCOCs. This study provides important and interesting data that could help clinicians and surgeons as well as oral and maxillofacial pathologists with the diagnosis and management of these lesions.