[Incidence of bone tumors in the facial skeletal area]

Facial bone tumors seen at a specialized referral unit over the course of a decade were retrospectively reviewed. Case definitions and statistical analysis were performed in accord with the criteria established by the National Bone Tumor Registry. Two-thirds of the 110 histologically confirmed bone tumors of this region occurred in female patients. The average age at onset was 39 years. Tumor-like processes predominated (56.4%). Peripheral giant cell granulomas were the most frequent lesions followed by odontogenic tumors (19%), principally odontomas. Benign bone tumors contributed 15.4%. The least frequently represented types of facial bone tumors were primary and secondary malignancies.