Dentinogenic ghost cell tumor: a case report and review of the literature

The purpose of this report is to highlight the presentation and review the clinical and histopathological features of DGCT. There have been 130 DCGT diagnoses reported in the literature. DGCT is part of the odontogenic ghost cell tumor family which also includes the calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) and the ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma (GCOC). In June of 2018, a 48-year-old female presented with a painless, soft tissue growth overlying the right mandibular alveolar ridge. Further workup of the lesion included a panoramic radiograph and maxillofacial computed tomography (CT) which revealed a well-defined, multilocular lytic expansile radiolucency occupying the right mandibular body. An incisional biopsy of the right mandibular gingival mass was performed which revealed an unusual odontogenic neoplasm with mineralization and ghost cells. The patient was subsequently treated with excisional biopsy of the right mandibular lesion via enucleation and curettage. The specimen was sent to pathology and the tumor was found to have an epithelial neoplastic proliferation resembling that of ameloblastoma, accompanied by foci of ghost cells. Since mandibular bone was involved, a diagnosis of a benign central DGCT with extension into the overlying gingiva was rendered. She was successfully treated with excisional biopsy via enucleation and curettage and has no evidence of recurrence at three years post-operatively. DGCT can exhibit locally aggressive behavior and is characterized by ameloblastoma-like epithelial cells and the presence of dentinoid material and ghost cells.