Odontogenic Carcinoma With Dentinoid in Long-Term Follow-up With 2 Recurrences

Abstract

Dentinoid has been mentioned as a frequent component in several types of benign odontogenic tumors; however, there are some other very rare dentinoid-producing odontogenic tumors that have been described, which are not recognized in the current World Health Organization Histological Classification of Odontogenic Tumours. In this context, we report an unusual malignant odontogenic tumor containing dentinoid located in the left maxilla of a 41-year-old man. The lesion was initially diagnosed and treated as a cemento-ossifying fibroma. After 7 years, a tumor was noted at the same location and was diagnosed as pleomorphic adenoma. The patient developed a new lesion 2 years later. Histological features included an epithelial proliferation of basaloid and clear cells, some with peripheral palisading, which were scattered both in a fibrous stroma and within an amorphous eosinophilic dentinoid product. Because of doubts about the first 2 diagnoses and the current situation, all histopathological slides were reviewed in our service as a consultation case, and the findings were consistent with the diagnosis of an odontogenic carcinoma with dentinoid. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed and an ultrastructural study by scanning electronic microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis was made to characterize dentinoid material. After 1 year of follow-up, the patient is alive and free of the disease. This case highlights the wide variability regarding cytological evidence of malignancy, and adds a new case of odontogenic carcinoma with dentinoid, which represents a distinct entity with locally aggressive behavior and should be considered be included in a future World Health Organization Histological Classification of Tumours.