Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma: A rare case report and review of literature

Abstract

Objectives: Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma is a rare condition characterized by ameloblastic-like islands of epithelial cells with aberrant keratinitation in the form of Ghost cell with varying amounts of dysplastic dentina. Material and Methods: We report a case of a 70 year-old woman with a rapid onset of painful swelling right maxillary tumor. Magnetic resonance showed a huge tumor dependent on the right half of the right hard palate with invasion of the pterygoid process and focally to the second branch of the trigeminal. Radiological stage was T4N0. The patient underwent a right subtotal maxillectomy with clear margins. Adjuvant radiotherapy was given. The patient was free of residual or recurrent disease 12 months after surgery. Results: The tumor was 3,9cm in diameter. It was spongy and whitish gray. Microscopically the tumor was arranged in nets and trabeculae, occasionally forming palisade. Tumoral cells had clear cytoplasm with vesicular nuclei. There was atipia and mitosi with vascular and perineural invasion. The excised tumor was diagnosed as a GCOC. Conclusions: Ghost cell carcinoma is a rare odontogenic carcinoma. Its course is unpredictable, ranging from locally invasive tumors of slow growth to highly aggressive and infiltrative ones. Wide surgical excision with clean margins is the treatment of choice although its combination with postoperative radiation therapy, with or without chemotherapy, remains controversial. Key words:Ameloblastic carcinoma, calcifying odontogenic cyst, Ghost cell carcinoma, keratinizing epithelial odontogenic cyst, maxillary tumor, odontogenic carcinoma.

Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma of the jaws: Report of two cases and a literature review

“…Their incidence in the oral cavity is about 0.37% to 2.1% of all odontogenic tumors[5]. They occur most commonly in the maxilla, accounting for 67%[9]. Pathologically, it is reported to arise de novo (55%), followed by malignant transformation of CCOT and DGCT (32.5%), ameloblastoma, and other odontogenic tumors[10].…”

Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma on right mandible and its respective surgical reconstruction: a case report

“…On radiographs, a mixed radiolucent and radiopaque pattern with bone destruction is seen. Metastasis to distant organs is very rare 4 .…”

“…The 2005 WHO guidelines recommended that GCOC be diagnosed on the basis of atypical histological features, several ghost cells, necrosis, prominent mitotic activity, infiltrative growth, and strong Ki-67 and p53 expressions 4 5 . Ghost cells are epithelial cells with a homogenous eosinophilic cytoplasm without nuclei 6 .…”

Dentinogenic Ghost Cell Tumor in a Sumatran Rhinoceros

“…Recurrence may occur within 5 to 10 years [ 8 ]. GCOC has a 73% five-year survival rate, and recurrence is reported to be common [ 9 ].…”