Intraoral giant cell lesions: the peripheral and central forms of these entities

Giant cell lesions have long been of interest as to their origins and pathogenesis. These lesions range from the unusual and rare heritable case of Cherubism to the more often encountered peripheral giant cell lesion (granuloma). While some giant-cell-containing entities appear as innocuous lesions, others form tumorous masses and are locally destructive in nature. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to overall patient health and prevention of local tissue destruction. The learning objective of this article is to familiarize the clinician with the most common of these entities-the peripheral and the central giant cell lesions.